Director, Security Risk Advisory, Consulting, and Education,
Halogen Group
In a strong call for collective action against the nation’s security challenges, Dr. Wale Adeagbo, Director of Security Risk Advisory, Consulting, and Education at Halogen Group, has urged the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), corporate leaders, and residents of Lagos to embrace trust-driven partnerships as the foundation for sustainable security in the state and across Nigeria.
Dr. Adeagbo made this call while delivering his conference paper at the 19th LSSTF Annual Town Hall Meeting with the Governor, which was held on Thursday 11th December in Victoria Island, Lagos. His presentation, themed “Building Trust, Enhancing Security: A New Era of Security and Partnerships,” emphasized that modern security threats are complex and cannot be addressed by statutory agencies alone.
“It is apparent that security cannot be achieved by any statutory agency. Current security challenges require strategic partnerships, alongside the cooperation of citizens, private sector operators, and communities,” Dr. Adeagbo said, as he concluded his submission at the high-level gathering.
Speaking to a broad audience of government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society actors, the security expert highlighted the urgent need for a multisectoral, stakeholder-driven approach to tackling insecurity in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
According to him, trust remains the critical currency needed to unlock collaboration, intelligence sharing, funding, and sustained citizen engagement in security initiatives.
Dr. Adeagbo specifically tasked the LSSTF, a public-private agency established to support security architecture in Lagos, to deepen trust among captains of industry and the wider citizenry. He noted that institutional credibility and transparency would not only strengthen public confidence but also encourage increased corporate funding and retail donations to the Fund.
“To build trust, LSSTF therefore must facilitate expertise and competencies; shared security responsibilities; intelligence sharing, standards, and protocols; technology that is effectively in use; standard operating procedures that are designed and structured; communication channels established; and governance frameworks that inform structures,” Adeagbo said.
He further stressed that trust is not built through rhetoric alone, but through consistent delivery, accountability, and visible impact. By demonstrating effective use of resources and fostering inclusive participation, he argued, LSSTF can position itself as a trusted platform for collective security investment.
As Lagos continues to thrive as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub, the Town Hall meeting served as a timely reminder that security is a shared responsibility.
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.