Prof. Akin Abayomi, Honourable Commissioner of Health, Lagos State has stressed that there is a critical interplay between happiness, urban livability and workforce productivity.
According to him, “Liveability is a key factor to your employability, and the happiness that you enjoy as an individual is key to your performance as a worker.”
He reiterated this during the Talent Management Conference 2025, organised by Business Day in partnership with Great Place To Work with the theme “Aligning Employee Well-Being with Profitability in Nigeria’s Workforce”. The event was sponsored by Phillips Consulting limited, Bank of Industry and Blue Bulb financials.
The conference, which had a line-up of human resource and business leaders, tackled the critical challenge of harmonising organisational goals with employee well-being into a cornerstone of organisational success while cultivating employee engagement.
The Hon. Commissioner reiterated that Lagos state government is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. “Our job as government is to improve the livability of a system, of a city, to ensure that when you are in the space of a city…it is easy for you to be in that environment”.
Drawing on experiences, he acknowledged persistent shortcomings in workplace well-being practices in the past, but emphasised the state government is now taking measures on improving employee-well.
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How employee well-being is being implemented in Lagos
The Hon. Commissioner highlighted Lagos State’s commitment to enhancing urban livability and improving workplace conditions through innovative initiatives.
For instance, he stressed the importance of addressing overlooked areas such as commuting challenges and recreational spaces, which are vital for boosting employee morale and enhancing overall productivity.
He outlined a recent executive order mandating health insurance for all citizens in compliance with the National Health Insurance Authority Act. According to the Commissioner, “Recently, we passed an executive order that defines the mandatory nature of health insurance for all citizens of Lagos State. We’re trying to create a standard of care, and whether you’re a low-tier employee or a top executive, everybody deserves the standard of care.”
He further emphasised improvements to commuting infrastructure aimed at reducing travel-related stress and facilitating easier access to workplaces for employees.
Additionally, the Commissioner noted the development of policies designed to create work environments that positively impact both the mental and physical well-being of workers. “New policies are being designed to create work environments that positively influence employee mental and physical well-being,” he remarked.
The Hon. Commissioner expressed that these initiatives are intended to establish a workforce that is not only productive but also well-supported and actively engaged in contributing to broader societal goals.
He stressed the importance of addressing overlooked areas such as commuting challenges and recreational spaces, which are vital for boosting employee morale and enhancing overall productivity.
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Why companies need to become great places to work
In his presentation, Otamere Elegon, country manager, Great Place to Work, Nigeria, Kenya, Cote D’Ivoire shared how data-driven insights and real-world examples illustrate why companies need to cultivate a good workplace culture.
“Work is fundamentally about people and their well-being. It is essential for organisational success. Data shows and points to the fact that where well-being operations exist at a high level, companies that have these policies and practices, outperform their peers”.
“Well-being matters because the world is evolving and there is an increasing rise of employee importance globally”.
“The idea that one is only here to get the job done is off the window. We now see the impact on well-being and retention and productivity”.
According to him, an organisation with people from different walks of life, different ideologies can come together to build a great workplace in an environment of trust.
