Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a newly reconstituted Board of Trustees for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). This calculated refreshment of the Fund’s governing body is far more than a routine administrative exercise; it is a deliberate reinforcement of the public-private partnership model that has been the cornerstone of Lagos’s unique approach to security for nearly two decades. By blending institutional memory with fresh financial and strategic acumen, the state signals a new chapter in its collaborative war against evolving security challenges.
The continuity at the helm provides a vital thread of stability and experience. Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti retains his position as Chairman of the Board, ensuring the preservation of the LSSTF’s strategic vision and operational ethos. He is joined by other returning stalwarts, including retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover, whose expertise bridges the gap between policy and ground-level policing, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, who guarantees seamless alignment with the state government’s overarching agenda. This core of continuity is the bedrock upon which innovation is built.
The true dynamism of this reconstitution, however, lies in the infusion of formidable new talent drawn from the pinnacle of Nigeria’s private sector. The board now boasts an unprecedented concentration of banking and financial leadership, welcoming the Group Managing Directors and CEOs of First Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and the Managing Director of Providus Bank, alongside an Executive Director from Zenith Bank Plc. This powerful cohort brings not just their personal reputations but the vast resources, governance experience, and innovative thinking of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions directly into the service of public safety. They are complemented by other strategic additions, including the head of the philanthropic Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative and key local government leadership, creating a board that is both financially astute and deeply connected to community realities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s clear mandate for this new board is to leverage this collective expertise to strengthen the crucial collaboration between government and the private sector. The LSSTF’s mission since its establishment in 2007 has been singular: to mobilize resources for the provision of critical equipment, logistics, and training for all security agencies operating within Lagos State.
In a metropolis of over 20 million people, serving as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and a West African economic hub, this support is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining law, order, and investor confidence. The newly constituted board is thus tasked with enhancing governance, ensuring accountability for every naira donated, and driving innovation in how security challenges—from cybercrime to traffic management and urban policing—are addressed.
With Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan continuing as the Executive Secretary and CEO, the Fund retains its operational engine. The departure of former members, whom the Governor duly thanked for their service, makes way for this new, potent blend of experience and fresh perspective.
As Lagos continues to grow and its security landscape evolves, this fortified board stands as a testament to the state’s proactive, partnership-driven philosophy. It is a clear declaration that the safety of Lagos—its residents, its businesses, and its future—remains a non-negotiable priority, defended by a united front of its most capable leaders from both the public and private spheres.
