Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to individuals and corporate organisations to support the state government’s efforts to strengthen security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
The governor made the call on Friday during a private breakfast meeting with selected managing directors and chief executive officers of various companies in Ikoyi, Lagos. The meeting, organised by the LSSTF, was aimed at raising funds to meet critical security needs for 2026.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the funds will be deployed for the procurement of multipurpose security helicopters and drones, armoured personnel carriers, water cannons, smart CCTV cameras, digital communication equipment, security vehicles and the upgrade of police infrastructure, including an ultra-modern mechanical workshop and tactical training facilities.
He said the Lagos State Government has consistently funded over 50 per cent of the state’s annual security requirements, stressing that contributions made through the LSSTF have always been transparently and judiciously utilised.
“Year on year, Lagos State has never taken a back seat on its responsibility. But we wanted a system the private sector can trust, where they can see that their support is well used, with accountability and transparency,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the LSSTF model has gained national recognition, with other states and even the Federal Government adopting or attempting to replicate it. He added that the state is rebuilding its Command and Control Centre with state-of-the-art equipment and expanding its Safe City project through the installation of more CCTV cameras.
“We want to ensure Lagos continues to remain secure. We want to improve the rescue capacity and capability of our first responders,” he added.
Addressing recent protests against the demolition of shanties in parts of Makoko, the governor said the action was taken in the overall public interest and for the safety of residents. He explained that the structures had begun to encroach dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines.
“I am not going to sit down and allow a situation where hundreds of people could die in one incident. What we did was to push them back in the interest of public safety,” Sanwo-Olu said, dismissing claims that the government was acting to displace residents unnecessarily.
The governor also criticised some non-governmental organisations, accusing them of exploiting vulnerable communities for donor funding without providing meaningful support.
In addition, Sanwo-Olu disclosed plans to commission 35 junior and senior secondary schools in the Tolu community of Ajegunle next month, with a combined student population of about 22,000. He also referenced the successful relocation of the Okobaba sawmill to Agbowa, a project that involved the construction of over 500 housing units at a cost of several billions of naira.
The governor stressed that improved security remains central to sustaining investment and economic growth in Lagos.
“We need to create an environment where investment will continue to come in and where the future will be secured. Lagos must remain the right place for investors,” he said.
The event was attended by top executives from the private sector and senior officials of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.