By Adebola Muili
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged stronger regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated security operations to tackle security challenges across the South-West, stressing that no state can guarantee lasting security by acting alone.
Sanwo-Olu made the commitment on Monday while receiving the National Peace and Humanitarian Award at the South-West Zonal Peace Summit and Humanitarian Awards 2026, organised by The Nigeria Peace Summit Group at the NECA Building, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oladeji, said the recognition had strengthened his resolve to continue working towards a safer, more peaceful and compassionate society.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu said peace in a city with more than 20 million residents required sustained investment, effective security arrangements and the collective efforts of government institutions and communities.
“Peace in a city of more than twenty million people does not happen by accident. It is funded, staffed and defended every day by people who are rarely credited when it holds,” the governor said.
He dedicated the award to the people of Lagos State, security agencies and traditional, religious and community leaders, acknowledging their contributions to protecting lives and preventing disputes from escalating into crises.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration had approached security as a shared responsibility, citing investments through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund to strengthen the operational capacity of security agencies with equipment and technology.
He added that the state had invested in intelligence gathering, surveillance and emergency response while working with communities to build the trust required for effective policing.
According to him, the government’s security strategy also recognises that peace extends beyond the absence of crime to include protecting vulnerable residents, responding to emergencies, supporting victims of violence and creating opportunities for young people.
He said these responsibilities were reflected in the administration’s THEMES+ Development Agenda and its commitment to improving the welfare of residents.
On the need for regional collaboration, Sanwo-Olu said the theme of the summit, Towards Enduring Peace and Renewed Hope in the South-West Zone, underscored the importance of collective action among states facing interconnected security challenges.
“Criminals do not respect state boundaries, and no state can guarantee lasting security by acting alone,” he said.
The governor, who is also Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, said he remained committed to strengthening cooperation among the states, particularly in intelligence sharing, coordinated security operations and community-based early-warning systems.
He stressed that these priorities required sustained collaboration among state governments and the Federal Government, adding that the states must complement national security efforts through effective coordination, investment and community engagement.
Sanwo-Olu also commended President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen national security.
Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, urged Nigerians to continue promoting peace and peaceful coexistence.
Enitan also commended security personnel for their sacrifices in protecting the country and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The convener of the summit, Bishop Timothy Cheren, said Sanwo-Olu deserved the recognition for his administration’s efforts to maintain security in Lagos, particularly through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
Cheren described the fund as an innovative approach to security financing in the country, noting that Lagos had established several layers of security networks to sustain relative stability.
He said Sanwo-Olu had built on the foundation laid by Tinubu when he served as governor of Lagos State, urging other governors to adopt practical measures to improve security rather than merely make promises.
The cleric also called for continuity in the Federal Government’s transformation agenda, expressing support for Tinubu to serve a second term.
The summit attracted public office holders, security personnel, religious leaders and community representatives, among other stakeholders.
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