Abayomi Susan
The most powerful weapon against insecurity is not sophisticated equipment or tactical hardware, but the competence, judgment and professionalism of the men and women entrusted with safeguarding lives and property. Around the world, the most effective security institutions are those that continually invest in the training, emotional resilience and professional development of their personnel, recognising that every successful intelligence operation and law enforcement intervention begins with a well-prepared officer.
This principle was once again underscored as the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) concluded the fifth edition of its two-day Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme for Security Operatives, held from July 15 to 16, 2026, bringing together security and emergency response personnel from across Lagos State to strengthen operational capacity, deepen inter-agency collaboration and promote professional excellence.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, reaffirmed that investing in people would remain the cornerstone of his administration’s security agenda.
Reflecting on his assumption of office, Ogunsan explained that while the agency had consistently provided logistics and operational equipment, he identified a critical need to invest more deliberately in the development of the personnel expected to deploy those resources effectively.
“When I assumed office, I reviewed my statutory responsibilities. I saw clearly that we were providing logistics and equipment, but I asked myself, ‘Where are the people?’ That conviction gave birth to this monthly training programme because investing in people must never be secondary,” he said.
He emphasised that the initiative was conceived as a long-term institutional intervention rather than a one-off exercise.
“I have five years to administer this organisation, and for every month of that period there will be training for security operatives in Lagos. As I said when we launched this initiative, it will continue beyond December because investing in people must become a permanent feature of our security architecture,” he stated.
Ogunsan also encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity beyond classroom instruction, stressing that the programme provides a platform for mentorship, networking and the exchange of professional experience.
“This programme is about networking, mentorship and discipline. Within this room are experienced professionals whose knowledge can shape careers. The value you derive from this training will depend on the commitment and focus you bring into it,” he added.
At the closing session, the lead facilitator, Professor Oka Martin Obono, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the human capital required for modern security operations, noting that emotional intelligence has become an indispensable competency for contemporary law enforcement personnel.
According to him, security officers routinely operate under intense pressure and elevated risk, making self-awareness and emotional intelligence essential for managing stress while maintaining professionalism in their interactions with the public.
He explained that the training was designed to equip officers with the discipline to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively during encounters with civilians.
“Not everyone on the street is a criminal. Security personnel must be equipped to protect and serve the public with professionalism while maintaining operational effectiveness. When citizens see men and women in uniform, they should feel confidence, not fear,” he said.
Professor Obono also highlighted financial literacy as a vital component of personnel welfare, explaining that prudent financial management would enable officers to build long-term financial security, particularly after retirement.
Describing the LSSTF training initiative as a model worthy of nationwide replication, the security expert urged governments across Nigeria to institutionalise similar capacity-building programmes for security personnel.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates the Lagos State Government’s commitment to strengthening the capabilities of security operatives by combining tactical competence with emotional intelligence and community-focused policing.
“This kind of training by the Lagos State Government under the auspices of the LSSTF deserves commendation and should be emulated by other state governments. If our military and paramilitary officers are equipped not only with the kinetic capacity to confront criminal elements but also with the emotional intelligence to engage responsibly with law-abiding citizens, there can be no better investment in national security,” he said.
He further called for the programme to be institutionalised, expanded and sustained, noting that evolving security threats require continuous learning and regular assessment of the operational needs of security personnel.
The two-day training concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Force CID Annex Alagbon, Marine Police, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Man O’ War Nigeria, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and other security and emergency management agencies.
The successful conclusion of the programme further reinforces the LSSTF’s commitment to building a highly professional, intelligence-led and collaborative security architecture capable of meeting the evolving security needs of Lagos State.
