LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 30, 2026 — Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday convened a private breakfast meeting with select Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers drawn from Nigeria’s banking and corporate sectors, calling on them to significantly scale up financial support for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) as the state prepares an ambitious technology-driven overhaul of its security architecture.
The high-level forum, organized by the LSSTF in Ikoyi, Lagos, was convened specifically to raise funds for critical security needs in 2026 — among the most ambitious procurement agenda the Fund has outlined in recent years.

A City Outgrowing Its Security Infrastructure
Governor Sanwo-Olu opened by acknowledging that Lagos, despite its relative safety compared to other major Nigerian cities, faces mounting pressure from threats that are growing in complexity and scale. He made clear that the current security infrastructure was no longer adequate for a megacity expanding at Lagos’ pace. “Lagos is bigger, busier, and more exposed than ever, and our security infrastructure must reflect that reality,” he said.
Central to the governor’s message was the state’s plan to completely overhaul its Command and Control Centre — a facility originally built more than 15 years ago — and transform it into a next-generation nerve centre capable of integrating thousands of CCTV feeds, emergency calls, and multi-agency field operations in real time.

He also disclosed that despite an initial plan to deploy between 5,000 and 10,000 CCTV cameras across Lagos, fewer than 1,000 have so far been installed due to technological and funding constraints. He said the state intends to aggressively scale that number up. Aerial surveillance capacity is also being expanded, with the state pursuing a combination of multipurpose security helicopters, drones, and marine monitoring devices to enable faster emergency response across Lagos’ land and waterways.

LSSTF Executive Secretary and CEO Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan told attendees that virtually all security agencies operating in Lagos now look to the Fund for support, and that the Fund’s ability to meet those demands hinges directly on the depth of private sector commitment.

What The Fund Is Asking For
The LSSTF laid out a detailed list of priority acquisitions for 2026. Key items on the procurement agenda include multipurpose security helicopters and drones, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and water cannons, smart CCTV cameras and digital communication equipment, tactical training and infrastructural upgrades for the Police, patrol vehicles, and the construction of an ultra-modern mechanical workshop to support fleet maintenance and operational readiness.

LSSTF Executive Secretary and CEO Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan told attendees that virtually all security agencies operating in Lagos now look to the Fund for support, and that the Fund’s ability to meet those demands hinges directly on the depth of private sector commitment. He listed the 2026 priority needs in detail, lauding Governor Sanwo-Olu for his consistent backing of the agency since its establishment.

Nearly Two Decades Of Accountability Cited As Foundation For Trust
Governor Sanwo-Olu anchored his appeal to corporate leaders on the LSSTF’s track record of transparency, saying the model was specifically designed so that the private sector could give with confidence. “On a year-on-year basis, the Lagos State Government has never taken a back seat on its responsibility. We still fund well over 50 per cent of whatever it is that happens year-on-year. But we wanted it to be something that the private sector can trust, and they can see that their support at all times is always judiciously used. There is accountability, and the funds are transparently deployed at all times,” he said.

He noted that the LSSTF model — built on the pillars of transparency, joint ownership, and year-on-year accountability — has attracted national and international attention, with other sub-national governments and even the federal government adopting or attempting to replicate it. “We have built one of the strongest public-private security partnerships anywhere in Africa,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu also reintroduced Dr. Ogunsan to the assembled executives, describing him as “a reliable and committed security professional that understands both the operational and strategic needs of the Fund.” He commended the continuity of the LSSTF Board, noting that its stability and adherence to transparent reporting have sustained the Fund’s credibility for nearly two decades.

A Donation That Followed The Call
The breakfast meeting quickly yielded results. Telecommunications giant Globacom subsequently announced a donation of 1 billion naira to the LSSTF — one of the largest single corporate contributions in the Fund’s history. LSSTF CEO Ogunsan described the gesture as a powerful demonstration of corporate citizenship and a strategic investment in the stability of Lagos State. He confirmed the donation would be channelled directly toward the Fund’s 2026 priorities, including helicopters, drones, APCs, water cannons, and the expansion of the state’s smart CCTV network.

Security As The Price Of Prosperity
Sanwo-Olu closed his remarks by framing security not merely as a public-safety obligation but as the foundational condition for Lagos’ economic future. He said every Naira invested in the LSSTF is, in effect, an investment in the commercial confidence and investor appeal that sustain the city’s position as Nigeria’s economic capital. “We want to ensure that Lagos continues to remain secure. We want to improve the rescue ability, capacity, and capability of our first responders,” he said.

The LSSTF, established in 2007 by the Lagos State House of Assembly as a public-private partnership, sources cash and in-kind contributions from corporate organizations, individuals, and all tiers of government to support security agencies with equipment, training, and operational resources. It remains the first institution of its kind in Nigeria.