By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for residents, investors, and tourists is largely due to sustained investments in security and critical infrastructure, the state government has said.
Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, made the remarks during an interview on Silverbird Television on Saturday, emphasizing that safety and infrastructure remain central to Lagos’ development strategy.
“No state can attract businesses or visitors without adequate security,” Akosile said, noting that the Sanwo-Olu administration has significantly reduced crime across Lagos. He recalled a period when armed robberies and violent crimes made movement difficult, stressing that such incidents have become rare due to deliberate security reforms.
Akosile highlighted the government’s investments in modern surveillance technology, including high-end CCTV cameras, as part of a multi-phase security architecture. He said about 3,000 fibre optic cables are being laid across the state to enhance real-time monitoring and data transmission.
“The central command-and-control centre now tracks activities across Lagos in collaboration with security agencies, particularly the police, enabling rapid response to criminal threats,” he added. He cited the recent foiling of a notorious ‘one-chance’ robbery gang as evidence of the system’s effectiveness.
Beyond security, Akosile said infrastructure development is guided by the administration’s THEMES+ agenda, which covers transportation, health, environment, education, technology, entertainment, tourism, security, governance, and inclusion.
He noted ongoing improvements in transportation, including expanded road networks, upgraded junctions, ferry services, and rail projects such as the Blue Line, Red Line, and proposed Green Line. On environmental sustainability, Akosile said the state is taking deliberate steps to ensure Lagos remains habitable despite rapid urbanization.
Education and technology are also being prioritized to position Lagos as a 21st-century economy, while tourism initiatives have helped establish the state as a leading destination in West Africa. The THEMES+ framework, he added, ensures social inclusion and gender balance, guaranteeing that no segment of society is left out of the state’s development process.
“By combining security, infrastructure, and inclusive governance, Lagos has positioned itself as a regional hub for investment, commerce, entertainment, and tourism,” Akosile concluded
