Campus Security Must Become Strategic National Priority – LSSTF Boss Ogunsan, Donates Patrol Vehicles to Lagos Varsities

Campus Security Must Become Strategic National Priority – LSSTF Boss Ogunsan, Donates Patrol Vehicles to Lagos Varsities

Campus security in Nigeria must now be treated as a “strategic national priority” rather than a routine administrative function, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has declared.

Ogunsan made this assertion on Wednesday while delivering a keynote address at the Lagos Campus Security and Safety Summit held at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Students’ Union Affairs – Tertiary Education under the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education.

The event brought together government officials, security experts, university administrators, student leaders, and law enforcement agencies to address growing security threats and social vices across tertiary institutions in the state.

Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Strategic Security Operations Towards Curbing Security Threats and Social Vices on Campus,” Ogunsan said university campuses mirror the broader realities of society.

“The pressures, opportunities, and risks that exist in the wider society naturally find expression within campus environments. Cyber-enabled crimes, drug abuse networks, sexual misconduct, and organised criminal infiltration do not stop at campus gates,” he said.

He stressed that institutions must move beyond reactive security models to more strategic approaches rooted in foresight, intelligence, prevention, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

While acknowledging the role of technology in modern security architecture, Ogunsan cautioned against over-reliance on technological tools without proper governance. Quoting security expert Bruce Schneier, he said, “If you think technology can solve your security problems, then you don’t understand the problems and you don’t understand the technology.”

He added that technology must operate within strong governance frameworks, clear operational protocols, and strict data protection standards to prevent new vulnerabilities such as data breaches and privacy violations.

As part of LSSTF’s commitment to safer campuses, Ogunsan announced the donation of three security patrol vehicles to Lagos State University (Ojo), Lagos State University of Education (Ijanikin), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (Ikorodu) to enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities. The Fund also provided 240 pairs of operational boots to strengthen the preparedness of campus security personnel.

“This intervention will improve patrol coverage, enhance rapid response, and strengthen visible security presence,” Ogunsan said, while commending Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for promoting collaborative security partnerships between government, institutions, and the private sector.

“A safe campus is one where students feel secure enough to dream and innovate. When we secure our campuses, we secure our future workforce, our future leadership, and our national stability,” he added.

Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, described campuses as microcosms of society, noting that campus security is closely tied to urban governance, youth development, and social stability in a fast-growing megacity like Lagos.

He thanked the LSSTF boss for supporting the initiative, stating that Ogunsan matched his advocacy with tangible action through the donation of surveillance vehicles to Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions.

In his welcome remarks, the SSA to the Governor on Students’ Union Affairs, Hon. Kappo Samuel Olawale, emphasised the broader implications of campus security, especially as many institutions operate non-residential systems with students living in surrounding communities.

“When security is weak, learning will suffer. When our students and staff feel unsafe, excellence becomes impossible,” he said, calling for practical and collaborative solutions.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, described universities as “incubators of national leadership, innovation, and social stability,” warning that insecurity poses serious consequences for education and the wider society.

He identified cultism, armed robbery, sexual assault, drug abuse, cybercrime, and gang activities as key security challenges confronting campuses. Jimoh advocated strengthened infrastructure, value re-orientation programmes, and joint intelligence frameworks, while underscoring the importance of sustained law enforcement presence.

“Our presence helps deter criminal activities and supports institutional security systems. Crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and public safety education are essential to maintaining peace within and around campuses,” he said.

The summit reinforced the Lagos State Government’s commitment to ensuring that campus security remains foundational to academic excellence, innovation, and the socio-economic development of Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial hub and a leading economic centre in West Africa.