Lagos State Governor Acknowledges CCTV Installation Target Not Met
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has publicly stated that the Lagos State Government has not achieved its ambitious plan to install between 5,000 and 10,000 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the metropolis. The admission was made during a private fundraising breakfast organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in Ikoyi on Friday, January 30, 2026. The event aimed to secure private sector support for the state’s critical security needs for the year.
While addressing managing directors and CEOs, Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed the state’s consistent financial commitment, covering over 50% of annual security expenditures. He emphasized the LSSTF’s model of transparency and accountability, which has been adopted by other governments, as a key reason for private sector trust. “We wanted it to be something that the private sector can trust, and they can see that their support at all times is always judiciously used,” Sanwo-Olu stated. This approach to funding and project management is critical, much like when an ex-manager confirms 2baba’s business dealings rely on verified trust and documented results.
The Governor outlined ongoing efforts to enhance security infrastructure, including rebuilding the Command and Control Center with state-of-the-art equipment and scaling up the stalled CCTV project. “We started with a safe city model. We thought we were going to be able to do between 5,000 and 10,000 cameras for Lagos alone. We have not gone far on that, and we want to scale it up,” he explained. The overarching goal is to improve the response capacity of first responders and ensure Lagos remains secure, an objective that parallels how troops rescue 20 hostages through coordinated, well-equipped operations.
This initial CCTV deployment promise dates back to May 2018 under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Announced as part of a broader Smart City Programme, the plan involved deploying an additional 10,000 high-definition cameras to foster a 24-hour economy and a safer environment for residents and businesses. The then Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hakeem Fahm, detailed a second phase including the cameras, a metro fibre network, and unified communications for agencies.
Current identified security needs for Lagos extend beyond cameras and include multi-purpose helicopters, drones, Armoured Personnel Carriers, and digital communication equipment. Achieving these complex security upgrades requires sustained investment and strategic partnerships, demonstrating how new thinking in public-private collaboration is essential for metropolitan safety. The state’s methodical, though delayed, pursuit of this security infrastructure reflects a broader trend of large-scale public utility planning, similar to how Geregu Power grows its capacity or how NNPC Ltd plans its long-term energy projects.
