Sanwo-Olu Receives National Peace And Humanitarian Award, Vows Stronger Regional Security

LAGOS — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has received the National Peace and Humanitarian Award in recognition of his administration’s contributions to peace, security and humanitarian interventions, pledging to strengthen cooperation among South-West states to address security challenges.

Sanwo-Olu received the award on Monday at the South-West Zonal Peace Summit and Humanitarian Awards 2026, organised by The Nigeria Peace Summit Group at the NECA House Building, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oladeji, said the recognition had renewed his determination to work towards a safer, more peaceful and compassionate society.

He accepted the award on behalf of Lagos residents, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders whose contributions, he said, were critical to maintaining peace and stability.

“Peace in a city of more than twenty million people does not happen by accident. It is funded, staffed and defended every day by people who are rarely credited when it holds,” the governor said.

He added that the award belonged to those who worked daily to protect communities and prevent conflicts, stressing that the task of building a peaceful society remained unfinished.

Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition, noting that effective security required the collective commitment of government institutions, security personnel and citizens.

Lagos Invests In Security Infrastructure

Highlighting his administration’s approach to security, the governor said Lagos had continued to strengthen the operational capacity of security agencies through investments in equipment, technology, intelligence gathering, surveillance and emergency response.

He identified the Lagos State Security Trust Fund as a major instrument for supporting security operations, explaining that the state had adopted a collaborative approach that recognised security as a shared responsibility.

According to him, investments in security infrastructure must be accompanied by community engagement and public trust, which are essential to effective policing.

The governor also emphasised that peace should not be measured solely by the absence of crime, arguing that it must include the protection of vulnerable residents, assistance to victims of violence, prompt responses to emergencies and the creation of opportunities for young people.

“These responsibilities are reflected in our THEMES+ Development Agenda and our commitment to improving the welfare of every resident,” he said.

The THEMES+ agenda is the framework through which the Lagos State Government pursues its development priorities, including security, infrastructure, economic growth and social welfare.

Sanwo-Olu said the state’s security strategy was therefore linked to broader efforts to improve living conditions and provide young people with opportunities that could strengthen their sense of belonging and hope for the future.

Sanwo-Olu Seeks Stronger South-West Security Cooperation

The governor used the summit’s theme, “Towards Enduring Peace and Renewed Hope in the South-West Zone,” to call for greater collaboration among the region’s governments and security institutions.

He said security threats frequently crossed state boundaries, making it difficult for any state to achieve lasting stability through isolated efforts.

“Criminals do not respect state boundaries, and no state can guarantee lasting security by acting alone,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu, who is also Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, pledged to sustain efforts towards stronger regional cooperation, particularly in intelligence sharing, coordinated security operations and community-based early-warning systems.

He explained that such initiatives required sustained collaboration among the South-West states and the Federal Government to identify emerging threats, improve responses to security incidents and prevent local disputes from escalating into wider crises.

The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen national security, saying state governments had a responsibility to complement federal initiatives through investments, effective coordination and engagement with local communities.

His remarks underscored the importance of cooperation between federal and state authorities in addressing security challenges that extend beyond individual jurisdictions.

Head Of Service Urges Nigerians To Preach Peace

Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, urged Nigerians to continue promoting peace and peaceful coexistence.

He commended security personnel for the sacrifices they make to protect the country and ensure the safety of citizens.

Enitan’s message highlighted the importance of public participation in peacebuilding, particularly through responsible conduct, dialogue and efforts to resolve disagreements without violence.

The summit brought together public office holders, security personnel, religious leaders, traditional and community representatives, among other stakeholders, to discuss peace and humanitarian issues affecting the South-West region.

Organisers Explain Sanwo-Olu’s Recognition

The convener of the summit, Bishop Timothy Cheren, said Sanwo-Olu was selected for the award because of his administration’s approach to security, particularly its support for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

Cheren described the fund as an innovative mechanism for mobilising support for security operations and commended the state government for maintaining multiple layers of security coordination.

“We are giving the National Peace and Humanitarian Award to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu because of the trust Lagos State has established in the Security Trust Fund. The Lagos State Security Trust Fund is novel in the country,” he said.

He argued that the arrangements established to support security operations had contributed to Lagos State’s efforts to maintain stability.

The convener also urged other governors to adopt practical measures to strengthen security in their respective states rather than make commitments that were not backed by action.

Cheren said Sanwo-Olu had built on the security foundation established by Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

He subsequently called for Tinubu to be given another four-year term, arguing that continuity would allow the President to pursue the transformation agenda of his administration.

The endorsement was Cheren’s political position expressed at the event and was separate from the stated purpose of the award, which was to recognise contributions to peace and humanitarian concerns.

Peacebuilding Beyond Government

The summit also drew attention to the roles of religious institutions, community leaders and security agencies in preventing conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence.

For Lagos, a state with a large population and extensive commercial activity, the challenge of maintaining security involves not only responding to crime but also coordinating multiple institutions, protecting residents and ensuring that disputes do not undermine social and economic activities.

Sanwo-Olu’s call for stronger regional cooperation reflects the need for security agencies and governments to work across jurisdictional boundaries, particularly where intelligence, criminal investigations and emergency responses require coordinated action.

The emphasis on community-based early-warning systems also points to the importance of identifying potential conflicts before they escalate, with local leaders and residents playing a role in alerting relevant authorities to emerging threats.

However, the long-term impact of such initiatives depends on sustained funding, effective implementation, accountability and public confidence in security institutions.

The National Peace and Humanitarian Award adds to the recognition given to the Lagos State Government’s security initiatives, while the governor’s remarks set out his administration’s intention to deepen cooperation with other South-West states and the Federal Government.

Sanwo-Olu said he accepted the honour with humility and renewed determination, maintaining that the responsibility of building a safer society remained a continuing task requiring the contributions of government and citizens alike.