The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA has urged chemical handlers and industries across the state to prioritise safety, proper chemical storage and regulatory compliance to reduce industrial accidents, environmental pollution and public health risks.
The call was made at the 2026 Chemical Handlers Stakeholders Workshop organised by the agency, where government officials, industry practitioners and safety experts discussed best practices in chemical management and workplace safety.
Speaking at the workshop, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, said the engagement was necessary despite the rainy season because chemical safety remains a year-round concern that affects every sector of the economy.
According to him, continuous stakeholder engagement and safety training are essential to preventing chemical explosions, spills and other hazardous incidents that have occurred in Lagos over the years.
“We regulate the handling, storage, distribution and appropriate use of chemicals in Lagos. Continuous engagement and safety training will help us curtail the potential hazards associated with chemicals,” he said.
Ajayi noted that the agency’s collaboration with the Lagos State Safety Commission, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health and other government agencies demonstrates the multi-sectoral approach required to address chemical-related risks, many of which eventually become public health concerns.
He urged participants to transfer the knowledge gained at the workshop to colleagues within their organisations, describing the programme as a “train-the-trainer” initiative designed to improve compliance across industries.
The LASEPA boss also identified unrestricted access to chemicals used for food adulteration as one of the agency’s major concerns, saying continuous monitoring and periodic enforcement have helped contain illegal practices in major chemical markets across the state.
“We carry out monitoring every week because continuous monitoring encourages compliance and reduces the need for enforcement,” he added.
In his remarks, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu said improper handling of chemicals poses serious risks to human health, public safety and the environment.
Rotimi-Akodu, who was represented by the Director of Environmental Education in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Monsurat Banire, said the workshop was designed to equip participants with updated knowledge on best practices while reinforcing their responsibilities in the safe storage, transportation, use and disposal of chemicals.
He urged stakeholders to comply fully with LASEPA’s regulations, stressing that compliance goes beyond avoiding sanctions.
“Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties. It is about protecting lives, protecting our environment and safeguarding the future of Lagos State,” he said.
The Special Adviser reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting industry players through policies, stakeholder engagements, training programmes and enforcement to ensure chemicals are handled safely and responsibly.
Delivering a technical presentation, safety facilitator Adebiyi Adeyemi stressed that workplace safety should be treated as a core business priority rather than an afterthought, noting that accidents can result in loss of lives, costly operational disruptions and legal liabilities.
He educated participants on hazard identification, risk assessment, proper warehouse management, chemical segregation, ventilation, container labelling, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), spill prevention and emergency response procedures.
Adeyemi also highlighted the importance of operating forklifts and other warehouse equipment safely, conducting regular inspections, ensuring only trained personnel operate machinery and maintaining proper housekeeping to minimise workplace accidents.
Participants described the workshop as an opportunity to update their knowledge and improve compliance within their organisations.
A representative from Pladis Nig. Limited, Ochacha Lawal, said the training would enable him to educate colleagues on the safe handling and use of chemicals upon returning to work.
Similarly, Tochukwu Ogubuike, who is a Regulatory Manager at of Nagode Industries Limited said the workshop provided industry practitioners with an avenue to learn emerging trends in chemical storage, compliance and safety while networking and sharing solutions to common operational challenges.