Executive Secretary/CEO,
Lagos State Security Trust Fund LSSTF
At a special roundtable with senior editors and leading media executives held today in Lagos, the newly appointed Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, unveiled a bold, people-centered security vision aimed at redefining the safety architecture of Africa’s fastest-growing megacity. The engagement, rich in conversation and professional candor, offered a rare window into the depth of his approach and the scale of reform he intends to drive.
Dr. Ogunsan, in his first major interaction with the media, spoke with a sense of mission, emphasizing that Lagos’ security challenges require both innovation and collective responsibility. He reiterated his gratitude to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for entrusting him with the leadership of the State’s foremost public-private partnership agency focused on security in the megacity. He described the appointment as a “call to service,” insisting that over 20 million Lagosians deserve a modern, efficient security ecosystem that keeps pace with the city’s growth and complexity.
Throughout the engagement, he stressed that the government alone cannot shoulder the burden of securing the State. He announced that the LSSTF will launch a renewed push for retail donations and citizen participation. This is an initiative he believes will democratize security and transform every resident into an active contributor.
‘Our plans include: A wide-reaching public awareness campaign; User-friendly digital donation platforms; Youth-focused engagement and volunteer initiatives; and a strong presence on social and community channels.’
‘When many people join hands, even with small contributions, the outcome is enormous. Whether it is ₦500 or ₦50 million, what matters most is participation. Every Lagos resident should feel that they are part of the solution. Our young people, in particular, are eager to make a difference, we want to give them a platform to channel that energy into building a safer State,’ Ogunsan said.
The session became even more animated when Ogunsan outlined the Fund’s new focus on non-financial contributions. Surveillance tools, technical support, cybersecurity expertise, behavioral analysis specialists, data scientists, and training engagements, he noted, are now just as important as patrol vehicles and protective gear. Lagos’ next leap in security.
‘Financial support alone is not enough to defeat today’s sophisticated security threats. Modern policing depends on innovation, intelligence-driven systems, and highly skilled personnel. That is why we are actively welcoming donations in kind, including: technical tools for surveillance, tracking, emergency response, and data gathering; logistical support to improve mobility and reach; expert guidance from professionals in cybersecurity, technology, criminology, data science, behavioural studies, psychology, communications, and more; capacity-building programmes that train and upskill our security personnel; to innovators, researchers, engineers, and specialists, Lagos needs your knowledge. Together, we can build a more advanced and proactive security ecosystem,’ he said.
Senior editors and media veterans present commended his openness, especially his vow to make transparency the rule rather than the exception at the Fund.
‘Public confidence in the Fund is essential. Under my leadership, transparency will be the standard not the exception. We will, maintain strict oversight on contractor performance, monitor all funded projects closely, publish updates on the utilization of donations, strengthen internal governance and reporting, and deepen stakeholder communication and feedback mechanisms.’
With the 19th Town Hall Meeting on Security scheduled for Thursday 11th December, 2025, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Ogunsan promised that accountability, detailed reporting, and stakeholder engagement will define his leadership.
The session ended with a shared conviction that safety is not merely a government project, but a collective legacy Lagosians must build together.