The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing public safety and security through citizen-informed strategies, following the stakeholders’ meeting on the People’s Perception Survey on Security Formations and their Impact on the Safety of Lives and Property.
The meeting, held on Wednesday at the Debt Management Office (DMO), Ikeja, Lagos, convened key stakeholders from government, security agencies, civil society, and development partners to examine the findings of the perception survey.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Chief of Staff, Mr. Kadiri Semiu Olajide, underscored the significance of the perception survey as a strategic feedback tool to foster inclusive governance and responsive security planning.
He explained that the survey, which engaged residents across Lagos State, was aimed at capturing the experiences of citizens regarding the visibility, effectiveness, and impact of security formations.
He emphasised that the meeting’s objective was not only to review the findings but also to reinforce collaboration among stakeholders, particularly community leaders, civil society organisations, and security agencies.
According to him, the survey will enable the government to gauge how residents perceive the impact of its investments in the security sector and determine whether these efforts resonate at the grassroots level.
Olajide highlighted Lagos State’s unwavering prioritisation of security, which has earned it recognition as one of the safest states in Nigeria. He referenced the recent donation of over 300 brand-new vehicles and other security assets to various formations through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), a public-private initiative established in 2007 to support security agencies.
He stressed that while progress is evident, validation from the people is crucial to assess the effectiveness of these interventions. The survey serves as a citizen-driven compass, guiding future decisions and ensuring that policies are inclusive and responsive to the needs of Lagosians.
On behalf of the Office of the Chief of Staff, led by Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Olajide expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their presence and support, affirming that their cooperation would be pivotal in achieving the survey’s objectives and fostering public trust in governance.
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, who was represented by the Director of Economic Intelligence Department, Mr. Alao Akinkunmi Oluwaseyi, described the survey as a vital instrument for inclusive governance and strategic planning, adding that the Ministry remains committed to promoting evidence-based policy formulation that reflects the lived realities of Lagosians.
She noted that security is the bedrock of sustainable development, and without it, economic activity, social cohesion, and investor confidence cannot flourish. Ojo also acknowledged the unique security challenges confronting Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial and population hub, ranging from traffic-related incidents and urban crimes to community-level unrest and the pressures of rapid urbanisation.
The Permanent Secretary outlined several strategic investments made under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to strengthen the State’s security infrastructure.
These include the revitalisation of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), which has mobilised billions of naira to support various security formations; the procurement and deployment of over 1,000 vehicles, communication gadgets, bulletproof vests, and surveillance drones; the establishment of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) integrated with community policing structures; the enhancement of the Command-and-Control Centre for real-time emergency coordination; and the installation of smart surveillance infrastructure among others.