KEYNOTE ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY
DR. AYODELE OGUNSAN
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/CEO, LAGOS STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND,
AT THE LAGOS STUDENTS SECURITY AND SAFETY SUMMIT ON STRENGTHENING STRATEGIC SECURITY OPERATIONS TOWARDS CURBING SECURITY THREATS AND SOCIAL VICES ON CAMPUS HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY, 2026 AT MRC HALL, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, IKEJA, LAGOS.
Theme: “Strengthening Strategic Security Operations Towards Curbing Security Threats and Social Vices on Campus”
Protocols.
Distinguished Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Tertiary Institutions,Members of Governing Councils,Directors and Administrators of Student Affairs,Chief Security Officers and Security Professionals,Esteemed Student Leaders,Representatives of Security Agencies,Development Partners,Private Sector Stakeholders,Members of the Press,Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to address this distinguished gathering today on an issue that sits at the very heart of national progress — the safety, stability, and security of our educational institutions.
Across the world, universities and higher institutions are recognised as engines of intellectual development, technological advancement, and leadership formation. They are the environments where ideas are challenged, where innovation is born, and where societies prepare the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. In Nigeria, and particularly in Lagos State, our campuses are more than centres of academic learning. They are pathways to social mobility, platforms for economic opportunity, and powerful instruments of national integration.
The quality of security within these environments directly influences the quality of education delivered, the level of research innovation achieved, and ultimately, the strength and competitiveness of our future workforce and leadership class.
In Lagos State, we operate within one of the most dynamic environments on the African continent. Lagos is not only the commercial capital of Nigeria; it is also one of Africa’s most vibrant urban centres – defined by movement, innovation, diversity, and intense socio-economic activity. Every single day, millions of people move across this state in pursuit of work, commerce, education, and opportunity.
Within this environment, our tertiary institutions inevitably become microcosms of the larger society. The pressures, opportunities, and risks that exist in the wider society naturally find expression within campus environments. Economic pressures, rapid technological advancement, evolving social behaviours, and unfortunately, criminal innovation, do not stop at campus gates. They evolve alongside society and increasingly intersect with student life and institutional operations. It is for this reason that campus security must be treated not simply as an administrative function, but as a strategic national priority.
Historically, campus security was largely centred on physical protection — securing facilities, preventing theft, managing access points, and responding to incidents of violence or disruption. While these responsibilities remain fundamental, the modern threat landscape has become significantly more complex. Traditional threats such as theft, physical assault, cult-related activities, vandalism, and organised examination malpractice still exist.
However, these now coexist with newer and more complex threats driven by technological advancement and evolving social realities. Cyber-enabled crimes have become increasingly prevalent, with students sometimes becoming targets, and in some cases, participants in digital fraud networks. Online harassment, digital blackmail, identity theft, and misinformation campaigns have become growing concerns. The proliferation of drug abuse networks, sexual and gender-based misconduct, and external criminal infiltration into campus environments has added further layers of complexity. In addition, the social and psychological pressures faced by many young people today — driven by economic realities and societal expectations — have introduced new behavioural and welfare-related risks that institutions must proactively manage.
These realities demand a fundamental shift in how we conceptualise campus security. The era of purely reactive security is no longer sufficient. Institutions must now embrace strategic security — a model built on foresight, intelligence, prevention, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. Strategic security requires institutions to constantly ask critical questions: What threats are emerging? Where are our institutional vulnerabilities? What early warning indicators exist? How can risks be mitigated before they escalate into crises? And perhaps most importantly, how do we build security systems that are institutionalised and sustainable beyond individual leadership tenures?
Globally respected security technologist Bruce Schneier once warned, “If you think technology can solve your security problems, then you don’t understand the problems and you don’t understand the technology.” This powerful statement reminds us that while technology is essential, security is fundamentally about systems, governance, and people. Similarly, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff noted that “Security is always a balance — it is not about eliminating risk completely, but about managing risk intelligently.” These perspectives reinforce the need for holistic security strategies that integrate technology, policy, behaviour, leadership, and institutional culture.
Technology must certainly play a central role in modern campus security architecture. Smart surveillance systems, integrated command and control centres, mass emergency communication platforms, controlled access technologies, and cybersecurity monitoring tools are no longer optional. They are essential components of modern institutional protection. However, technology alone is never enough. Technology must operate within strong governance frameworks, clear operational protocols, and strict data protection standards. Poorly governed technology can create new vulnerabilities, including data breaches, privacy violations, and operational inefficiencies. Institutions must therefore ensure that technology adoption is matched with policy clarity, personnel training, and strong oversight structures.
Beyond infrastructure and technology, human capacity remains the most critical component of any effective security system. Security personnel must be equipped not only with enforcement skills but also with communication skills, crisis de-escalation techniques, conflict mediation capabilities, and student engagement competencies. The first few minutes of response to any incident often determine whether a situation escalates or is peacefully resolved. Security personnel must also be trained to recognise behavioural distress indicators, mental health warning signs, and early signs of organised criminal influence. Professional development must therefore be continuous and aligned with evolving threat patterns.
Equally important is the recognition that security is a shared responsibility. Students must be treated as partners in building safe campus environments. When students actively participate in safety awareness campaigns, anti-drug initiatives, peer mentoring programmes, and early reporting structures, security systems become more effective and sustainable. Institutions must build trust-based reporting channels that encourage early disclosure of risks without fear of victimisation. Anonymous reporting platforms, student safety hotlines, and structured engagement between security departments and student leadership structures can significantly improve early threat detection.
Another critical dimension of campus security is addressing the root causes of social vices. Social vices rarely exist in isolation. They often thrive where there is disengagement, economic vulnerability, lack of mentorship, weak student support systems, and limited opportunities for structured engagement. Institutions must therefore invest in strong counselling services, mentorship frameworks, entrepreneurship development initiatives, sports and recreational programmes, and leadership development platforms. When students are engaged, supported, and given positive pathways for growth, their vulnerability to negative influences reduces significantly.
Infrastructure and environmental design also play a major role in shaping security outcomes. Crime prevention through environmental design is a globally recognised approach that emphasises how physical space planning can reduce crime opportunities. Adequate lighting systems, secure hostel architecture, visible surveillance presence, emergency call stations, controlled access points, and safe campus transport systems all contribute to stronger security outcomes. Institutions must integrate security considerations into campus planning and infrastructure development from the design stage, rather than treating security as an afterthought.
We must also acknowledge the resource realities faced by many institutions across Nigeria. Security departments are often expected to manage increasingly complex threats with limited equipment, limited surveillance technology, inadequate patrol logistics, and manpower constraints. Building modern security architecture requires sustained investment, long-term planning, and strong financial commitment. Security must be viewed not as a cost burden, but as an investment in institutional stability, reputation protection, and risk management. The cost of security failure is always significantly higher than the cost of preventive investment.
This is why public-private partnership platforms such as the Lagos State Security Trust Fund remain critical to strengthening security architecture across Lagos State. The Fund was established to support security agencies and institutions by bridging operational gaps, strengthening response capacity, and improving overall security infrastructure.
Recognising the strategic importance of safe learning environments, the Fund continues to support initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional security capacity. As part of ongoing efforts to bridge operational gaps, the Fund will be donating one patrol vehicle each to the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin, and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu.
This intervention will improve patrol coverage, enhance rapid response capability, and strengthen visible security presence. It also demonstrates what is possible when government, private sector partners, and institutional leadership collaborate toward a shared security objective.
Institutional leadership commitment remains one of the strongest determinants of security success. When university leadership prioritises security through budgetary allocation, policy enforcement, executive visibility, and operational oversight, security culture improves significantly across institutions. Security must be embedded within governance frameworks and strategic planning processes. It must be recognised as a core component of institutional sustainability and global competitiveness.
Crisis preparedness is equally critical. Every institution must maintain comprehensive emergency response plans covering medical emergencies, fire incidents, cyber breaches, external threats, and civil disturbances.
These plans must not only exist but must be regularly tested through simulations and drills. Preparedness reduces panic, improves coordination, and ultimately saves lives.Ladies and gentlemen, a safe campus is not simply one without crime.
A safe campus is one where students feel secure enough to dream and innovate. It is where lecturers and researchers can teach and innovate without fear. It is where parents confidently entrust institutions with the future of their children. It is where global partners are confident to collaborate and invest.As stakeholders in education, security, governance, and youth development, we must collectively commit to building sustainable security systems, strengthening institutional partnerships, investing in modern security technology, supporting continuous professional training, and promoting responsible student engagement. The future of Nigeria is currently being shaped within our campuses.
When we secure our campuses, we secure our future workforce, our future leadership, and our national stability.In conclusion, while the task before us is enormous, it is achievable.
With visionary leadership, strong partnerships, sustained investment, and collective commitment, we can build campus environments that are safe, resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive.
As it is often said, security begins with each of us. Every stakeholder has a role to play in securing our environment. We must therefore commit ourselves to building institutions where safety is guaranteed, potential is nurtured, and excellence is protected.
I thank you most sincerely for your attention, and I look forward to the meaningful outcomes and strengthened collaborations that will emerge from this summit.
Thank you, and God bless Lagos State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.