From John Silas, Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has received the National Peace and Humanitarian Award in recognition of his contributions to promoting peace and security.
The award was presented to the governor on Monday at the South-West Peace Summit and Humanitarian Awards 2026, organised by The Nigeria Peace Summit Group at the NECA Building, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, which attracted public office holders, security personnel, religious leaders and community representatives, Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oladeji, said he received the honour with gratitude and renewed determination to build a safer and more peaceful society.
“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. This award belongs to them, and I receive it with humility, knowing that the work is far from finished,” he said.
The governor dedicated the award to Lagos residents, security agencies, personnel protecting communities, and traditional, religious and community leaders contributing to conflict prevention.
He said his administration had approached security as a shared responsibility, citing the Lagos State Security Trust Fund as a key mechanism for strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies through equipment and technology.
According to him, the state has also invested in intelligence gathering, surveillance and emergency response while engaging communities to build trust in policing.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that peace extended beyond the absence of crime to include protecting vulnerable people, responding to emergencies, supporting victims of violence and creating opportunities for young people.
He said these priorities were reflected in his administration’s THEMES+ Development Agenda and commitment to improving the welfare of residents.
On regional security, the governor said the summit’s theme, “Towards Enduring Peace and Renewed Hope in the South-West Zone,” highlighted the need for stronger cooperation among states.
“Criminals do not respect state boundaries, and no state can guarantee lasting security by acting alone,” he said, emphasising the importance of coordinated security operations and regional collaboration.
