The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is entering into a partnership with the Lagos State Government in Nigeria to train people on workplace safety and health.

Early this year IOSH signed a memorandum of collaboration with the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC). The agreement proposed IOSH oversee the training of professionals, while the Commission pledges to promote the Institution and the benefits of membership.

Alan Stevens, Head of Global Engagement and Partnerships at IOSH, has been in Lagos this week meeting with senior stakeholders within the LSC and training providers to develop a plan for how the initiative will be taken forward and build upon the spirit of collaboration.

Hakeem Dickson, the Director General of the LSC, said his agency will make every effort to promote occupational health and safety and will ensure there is appropriate capacity across the state to ensure competency.

He said: “Our aim is to develop a strong safety culture through the leaders where organisations in every sector would be compelled to set up a safety department. We aim to save more lives and properties, hence our intention of moving the agency from its embryonic level to a more matured level. As such, we’ve decided to bridge this gap by providing tools to enhance competency within the state. Our collaboration with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health will help to train our people on safety and health in Nigeria.”

The partnership will strengthen relationships and build capacity for a significant number of practitioners, managers, graduates and more from any discipline.

As part of their commitment, the LSC will promote IOSH training courses and encourage people to become members of the Institution.

Alan Stevens said IOSH is keen to share best practice and learn from others to ensure everyone goes home from work safely.

“We respect and admire the vision and determination of Hon. Hakeem Dickson and the Lagos State Safety Commission and we are determined to support in every way we possibly can to ensure that the vision becomes a reality,” said Alan.

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