LSSTF Deepens Global Security Drive, Woos China for Stronger Lagos Partnership • Ogunsan visits Consul General, People’s Republic of China, Yan Yuqing
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
In Lagos, where the movement of people, capital and commerce rarely pauses, security has become too important to be treated as the responsibility of government alone. It is a shared investment in economic confidence, international relations and the protection of the millions of people who live, work and invest in the state. Increasingly, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) is looking beyond its traditional donor base to forge strategic international partnerships capable of bringing expertise, technology, equipment and fresh resources into the state’s security architecture.
That strategy received another boost as the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, visited the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, where he sought deeper collaboration with the Chinese government, its security institutions and Chinese-owned businesses operating in Nigeria. The engagement follows the Fund’s recent outreach to the British and German diplomatic missions as part of Ogunsan’s emerging push to make international stakeholders active partners in Lagos’ security development.
On his courtesy visit to the Consul General, Yan Yuqing, Ogunsan said the visit was primarily to appreciate China’s longstanding support for Nigeria’s security institutions while seeking to deepen the relationship. The meeting opened a broader avenue for cooperation involving the Chinese diplomatic mission, security institutions, Chinese enterprises and the LSSTF.
Ogunsan particularly praised the Consul General for what he described as an exceptional commitment to Lagos and Nigeria. “You are a mother, a very true definition of a mother. You’ve been everywhere, you’ve been caring for us, you’ve assisted the police force very hugely, not only the police, everyone, the paramilitary agencies. You have done much more in kind for us than what money can buy. You have sent many of our uniformed operatives abroad on a regular basis.” Ogunsan said.
He recalled China’s extensive support for security personnel through training programmes, describing capacity building as one of the most valuable forms of intervention.
“We want to ask you, Ma, that you should continue with this training. An untrained officer is a serious disaster for our society,” he said.
Beyond training, Ogunsan sought greater access to Chinese expertise, technology and locally available equipment, including operational vehicles, motorcycles, boots, uniforms and other security-related items. He also identified Chinese companies operating in Lagos and Nigeria as potential partners in strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies.
Ogunsan specifically acknowledged the contribution of Chinese companies, including CIG Motors and Dongfeng, while noting that CIG Motors had recently donated 10 vehicles to the Fund.
The LSSTF chief executive also offered an immediate security intervention for the Chinese Consulate, pledging to deploy one of the newly acquired police vehicles to enhance security around the diplomatic facility. “You’ve done so much for us that we can’t leave you exposed to any kind of people. I will take responsibility for that,” he assured the Consul General.
Responding, Yan Yuqing pledged continued Chinese support, particularly in training and equipment. “Of course, we will support more. So training is important. I am very glad that you are always interested in the young officers,” she said.
The Consul General disclosed that China had previously supported Nigerian security institutions, while expressing willingness to explore additional interventions in the coming year. She also pointed to the potential role of Chinese businesses in supporting Lagos security, particularly through the provision of vehicles, motorcycles, uniforms and boots.
With thousands of Chinese businesses and nationals operating across Nigeria, Yan stressed that security was essential to sustaining investor confidence. “Security is most important for all Chinese investment,” she said, requesting stronger police visibility around the Consulate, particularly at night. “We also need your help. We need the Police around our embassy. I will also ask for the Ogun State Police to improve the security, there are around 1,000 Chinese companies. Even around this area, especially at night.”
For Ogunsan, the emerging international partnership drive represents more than fundraising. It is an attempt to build a wider ecosystem in which diplomacy, private enterprise, technology, training and security converge around one objective: a safer Lagos capable of sustaining the confidence of its residents, businesses and international partners.
