Lagos mandates strict fire safety compliance to protect expanding tourism assets

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Lagos State Government has announced a renewed enforcement of safety regulations across public spaces, declaring fire prevention and emergency preparedness as non-negotiable pillars for sustaining the state’s position as Africa’s leading tourism hub.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, disclosed this on Monday during the third edition of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference (LIFSC 3.0) at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.

The conference, running under the theme “Preventing the Preventable: Strengthening Fire Safety in Buildings and Business Hubs,” gathered emergency responders, urban planners, and business owners to tackle vulnerabilities in high-density commercial zones.

Aregbe stated that the initiative directly aligns with the security and economic growth targets of the state’s THEMES+ development agenda. He warned that expanding the creative and hospitality sectors requires an equal commitment to safeguarding infrastructure.

“Effective fire safety measures are indispensable for protecting human lives, preserving irreplaceable cultural assets, and building investor confidence.”

“As Lagos expands its hospitality and entertainment footprint, safety standards must remain at an absolute premium in hotels, event centers, and business districts,” he said.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture noted that it is working on joint safety protocols to minimize operational hazards.
Conference stakeholders called for immediate institutional collaborations among emergency management agencies, private property developers, and building owners to enforce regular safety drills and strict compliance with national fire codes.