Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said state police operations may begin before the end of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027.
The governor spoke on Friday at the unveiling of the Kessington Adebutu Security Trust Fund building in Ikeja, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu said the establishment of state police would increase the responsibilities of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, particularly in providing funding, logistics and other support for the new security outfit.
He said, “So, possibly before the end of the year, or maybe in the first quarter next year, we will now have state police in every one of our states.”
The governor added that Lagos was looking forward to the implementation of state police, which he described as long overdue.
“We’re excited, we’re looking forward to the formation of the state police because we believe that it’s long overdue, and everything that we need to do to bring it to reality in Lagos once the approval is dropped,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the trust fund would play a greater role once state police operations commenced, as it would be expected to provide resources and operational support.
He said, “We will need to ensure that we are very creative, we can think out of the box, and we can put resources together to make sure that Lagos State, at that time, which will be one of the state police setups, will be the best in the country by statute, by number, by support, by logistics, by everything.”
The governor also assured serving police officers that the introduction of state police would not disrupt existing operations or create unnecessary fears about job security.
“We want to assure the current police formation that we will put everything in place, that we will work together, we’ll create an ambience to ensure that there is no disruption in which anybody will have a fear of a loss of job or something,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, established in September 2007 under former Governor Babatunde Fashola, had played a significant role in supporting security operations. He recalled that the initiative raised more than 300 vehicles within its first four months.
The governor urged individuals and organisations to support the government’s security efforts, stressing that protecting lives and property was a shared responsibility.
He also commended Adebutu for donating the building, which he formally named the Kessington Adebutu Security Trust Fund Building.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the fund, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, said the unveiling of the building marked a significant milestone for the organisation, which had operated from a rented office for nearly 19 years.
Ogunsan said the permanent office would strengthen the fund’s capacity to mobilise voluntary contributions from individuals and organisations and channel the resources towards improving security operations across the state.
“For nearly 19 years, the fund operated from a modest rented office. Throughout this period, the institution continued to discharge its responsibility, working with the private sector, individuals and the Lagos State Government to improve the resources available for security operations,” he said.
He explained that providing a permanent office was one of the goals he set after his appointment, adding that Adebutu agreed to support the project shortly after he approached him.
Ogunsan said Adebutu had also donated five brand-new pickup vehicles to the fund to mark his 91st birthday.
The executive secretary described the donations as a demonstration of the philanthropist’s commitment to supporting security operations in Lagos.
In his goodwill message, Adebutu congratulated the Lagos State Government, the trust fund, its board of trustees and management on the commissioning of the building, describing it as a contribution to public safety and economic development.
He said the project reflected the importance of collaboration between the government and private individuals in protecting lives and property.
Adebutu said, “It has always been my abiding conviction that God’s blessings are not meant for our exclusive enjoyment but should be deployed towards the service of humanity and leaving society better than we met it.”
He described his contribution to the project as an obligation to give back to society and expressed hope that the building would serve as a lasting example of public-private partnership and responsible citizenship.
“My prayer is that this magnificent edifice will serve generations yet unborn as an enduring monument to purposeful public-private partnership, selfless service and responsible citizenship,” he said.