Following global health alerts over an Ebola virus outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa, the Lagos State Safety Commission has issued a critical precautionary advisory to all owners, operators, and managers of hospitality and social establishments across the state.
The Director General of the Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, emphasized that while there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola within Lagos State or Nigeria, the city’s status as a major international travel hub and commercial epicenter necessitates immediate, proactive measures to safeguard residents and visitors alike.
He maintained that high‑density social venues, including nightclubs, hotels, event centers, lounges, and restaurants, must take the lead in establishing preventative defenses due to the high volume of face‑to‑face and close‑contact interactions inherent in their operations.
Mojola stated that the Commission has a mandate to ensure public safety and that all public and private operators are to immediately reinstate mandatory hand hygiene stations equipped with running water and liquid soap, or commercial‑grade alcohol‑based hand sanitizers, at all facility entry points and common areas.
He enjoined all establishments to significantly increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection routines, utilizing hospital‑grade disinfectants on all high‑touch surfaces such as countertops, door handles, handrails, menus, and payment terminals.
Furthermore, he urged management teams to properly train front‑of‑house, housekeeping, and security personnel to recognize early symptoms of illness, implement daily health checks for staff, and enforce a strict stay‑at‑home policy for any employee exhibiting signs of fever.
Mojola said hospitality centres must also designate a temporary, well‑ventilated holding area on‑site to safely isolate any patron or staff member who experiences sudden, severe illness while awaiting medical evacuation.
In addition to sanitation protocols, he said venue operators are advised to manage crowd capacities to minimize extreme physical overcrowding and ensure optimal ventilation within enclosed spaces.
Mojola urged all operators to remain calm, vigilant, and fully cooperative, noting that safety inspectors will increase routine monitoring and support visits across the state to ensure compliance.
He stated that any suspected medical emergency involving severe fever or illness must be immediately isolated and reported to the official Lagos State health hotlines at 08023169485, 08033565529, or 07000SAFETY.
