Susan Abayomi
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, and Chairman of Case Studies Consulting Ltd, Professor Oka Martin Obono, have urged security personnel to prioritise financial planning and personal well-being as part of their preparation for life beyond active service.
The call was made during the second day of the September edition of the LSSTF Statewide Inter-Agency Training for Security Operatives, where participants received practical guidance on financial management, savings, investment and retirement planning.
Speaking during the programme, Obono, a Sociology scholar at the University of Ibadan, said financial preparedness should be regarded as an important part of professional and personal resilience for security personnel.
He explained that financial security goes beyond earning an income, stressing the importance of properly managing earnings, controlling expenditure, saving consistently and investing for the future.
Using the acronym LAGOSPMMP, Obono outlined different stages of financial development, taking participants through income generation and management to savings, investment and long-term financial planning.
“It’s not enough to have access to an income,” he said, encouraging officers to develop the discipline required to make informed financial decisions instead of relying solely on their salaries.
He advised participants to monitor their spending, prepare budgets and create deliberate room for savings and investment. He also introduced the 50:30:20 budgeting framework as one approach to managing income across essential needs, social obligations and savings or investment.
Obono further highlighted investment options such as stocks, mutual funds, real estate, Federal Government savings instruments and treasury bills, while emphasising the importance of adequate knowledge and proper planning before committing funds.
On retirement, the facilitator urged officers to begin preparing for life after active service early, noting that retirement should not come as a period of sudden financial uncertainty.
He also encouraged security personnel to invest in continuous learning and skills development, particularly as technological changes continue to reshape employment and economic opportunities.
According to him, acquiring additional skills can provide officers with greater financial resilience and help them prepare for changing circumstances after their active careers.
The LSSTF Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, who was represented by the Executive Assistant, Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo, appreciated the facilitators and participating security agencies for their commitment to the two-day programme.
Ogunsan reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to continuous training as a means of strengthening the capacity and welfare of security personnel.
She noted that the effectiveness of security officers depends not only on operational competence but also on their personal well-being and preparedness for life beyond active service.
The two-day training concluded with participants expressing appreciation for the opportunity to gain practical knowledge beyond conventional operational skills.
Certificates were subsequently presented to participating officers who successfully completed the training programme.
The LSSTF said the initiative reflects its broader commitment to strengthening the capacity, welfare and long-term resilience of security personnel across Lagos State.
