The Lagos State Safety Commission has issued a fresh directive requiring hotels, nightclubs, event centers, lounges, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses to strengthen their health and safety protocols. This follows recent global alerts regarding Ebola outbreaks in Central and East Africa.
Although no confirmed case of Ebola has been reported in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria, the commission emphasized the need for proactive measures. The advisory comes as biosecurity screening intensifies at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, reflecting Lagos’s role as a major international gateway and commercial hub.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, explained that the precautionary directive is essential due to the city’s high volume of international travel and dense population. He stressed that facilities hosting large gatherings and close human contact must lead in implementing preventive actions to reduce potential public health risks.
Operators of hotels, lounges, event centers, restaurants, and nightclubs are now required to install hand hygiene stations at entrances and other key points. These stations must be equipped with running water, soap, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The commission also urged establishments to boost cleaning protocols, particularly on high-touch surfaces such as door handles, handrails, countertops, payment terminals, and menus, using approved hospital-grade disinfectants.
Additionally, management teams are advised to train staff to recognize early symptoms of illness, conduct daily health checks, and enforce a strict stay-at-home policy for any employee showing signs of fever or sickness. Venues are also instructed to set up temporary isolation areas for individuals displaying severe symptoms, pending medical assistance.
Furthermore, the commission called on venue operators to manage crowd density and ensure adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces to minimize health risks. Mojola urged all operators to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative, noting that safety officials will increase monitoring and compliance inspections across the state.
Any suspected medical emergency involving severe fever or illness should be immediately isolated and reported via designated Lagos State emergency health hotlines: 08023169485, 08033565529, or 07000SAFETY.