Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, immediate past Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), was deservedly celebrated and honoured by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his sterling, decade-long service at the 19th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security with the Governor, an event that brought together key stakeholders in Lagos State’s security ecosystem.
Having spent 10 impactful years at the helm of one of the most strategic security institutions in Nigeria, Dr. Balogun’s tenure remains a defining chapter in the evolution of the LSSTF and the strengthening of Lagos State’s security architecture. The seasoned public administrator has combined professional discipline, legislative insight, and uncommon dedication to reposition the Fund as a national benchmark for public–private security collaboration.
Dr. Balogun’s journey with the LSSTF is both historic and symbolic. Long before assuming executive leadership, he played a pivotal role as a lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he was instrumental in crafting and passing the landmark legislation that established the LSSTF in 2007. That rare continuity, from legislator to implementer, gave him a unique understanding of the Fund’s vision, purpose, and long-term strategic importance to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s foremost economic hub.
After an initial 5 years on the saddle, Balogun was reappointed in 2020 by Governor Sanwo-Olu to continue leading the Fund under the T.H.E.M.E.S. plus Agenda. He steered the LSSTF through complex economic realities, including the COVID-19 era, declining donor contributions, and the rising cost of security equipment in the global market. Despite these constraints, he recorded remarkable achievements, expanding operational support to security agencies, deepening private sector trust, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the deployment of resources.
Under his leadership, the LSSTF consistently bridged critical capacity gaps faced by federal, state, and local security agencies operating in Lagos through the provision of patrol vehicles, surveillance equipment, communications tools, and continuous human capacity development. His calm resilience, strategic foresight, and commitment to excellence ensured that the Fund not only survived challenging times but remained impactful and relevant.
The moment Governor Sanwo-Olu presented Dr. Balogun with an award and a brand new car for sterling service was deeply symbolic. Standing tall, with his head held high, Dr. Balogun received the honour with quiet pride, deservedly so, for an acknowledgment of years of sacrifice, professionalism, and unwavering service to Lagos State.
The applause that followed was not merely ceremonial; it reflected widespread respect from government officials, security chiefs, private sector leaders, and civil society stakeholders who witnessed firsthand the fruits of his leadership.
Dignitaries present at the 19th LSSTF Annual Town Hall meeting on Security include the Chairman of the Board of LSSTF, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi Etti; the Founder and Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; industrialist and philanthropist Chief Kessington Adebutu represented by MD/CEO of JB Farms, Mr. Ajibola Adebutu; Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun; Chairman of Coronation Group, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; the MD of Providus Bank, Walter Akpani; the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Zone II, AIG Adegoke Fayoade; Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, CP. Moshood Jimoh; Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc., Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro.
Others are the Lagos Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; DG of NIMC, Mrs. Bisoye Coker; Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa represented by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe; former Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora; the current Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan; pioneer Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey; Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Rotimi Fashola; diplomats from China, Cameroon, Canada, and USA, Chairmen from Lagos Conference 57, Oba Alara of Ilara, HRM Oba Ogunsanwo among many others.
In a brief interview after the meeting, the immediate past CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun highlighted: ‘When you work and you are recognized, it is a very pleasant thing. Apart from letter of commendation that the Governor gave me, he also presented me with a wonderful gift that I wasn’t expecting. It shows that what you do, even though you think people are not watching, it is actually very appreciated. I feel very elated to be here.’
‘Having left the office barely 6 weeks ago, I think the new Executive Secretary will take the organization to a greater height. We have laid a very solid foundation and you can see it. What delighted me is the commitment that an organization will build a befitting edifice for the LSSTF. Under my watch, we ensured that we got a very secure land in Central Business District for this project. I am so happy.’
Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun leaves behind a legacy defined by integrity, institutional strengthening, and visionary leadership. His decade of service has firmly etched his name into the history of the LSSTF and the broader story of Lagos’ journey toward sustainable security.