Appraisal of Safety Management Practices and Emergency Response Preparedness in Public Buildings in Nigeria.

Abstract:

This study evaluated safety management practices and emergency response preparedness in public buildings in Nigeria, focusing on how organisational and resource factors shape resilience. Anchored on Systems Theory, the research investigated the extent to which management commitment, staff training, and funding adequacy influence the adoption and effectiveness of emergency response plans. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 148 facility managers and safety officers across government offices, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were used to examine relationships among key variables. Findings revealed that most institutions have implemented basic emergency frameworks, primarily targeting fire and structural risks, while preparedness for emerging hazards, such as pandemics and cybersecurity threats, remains limited. The results further showed a strong and significant correlation between management commitment and preparedness, and that staff training and funding adequacy jointly accounted for 64 per cent of the variance in emergency plan adoption. These outcomes emphasise that effective preparedness requires coordinated subsystems, leadership, training, funding, and compliance, working synergistically. The study concluded that Nigerian public institutions are transitioning from compliance-based to structured preparedness but lack full cultural integration. It recommends that government and regulatory agencies strengthen enforcement, institutionalise training, ensure consistent safety funding, and leverage digital technologies through public–private collaboration to enhance sustainable resilience.