LAGOS/Nigeria: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged 1,800 law enforcement officers who completed a mandatory training programme to demonstrate discipline, fairness and respect for citizens’ rights, warning that their conduct on duty will determine public confidence in the agencies they represent.
The governor, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), gave the charge on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the passing-out parade of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) in Magodo. The officers were drawn from seven state agencies.
Sanwo-Olu said effective law enforcement depended not only on the authority to enforce regulations but also on the ability of officers to earn public trust through impartiality, responsible conduct and service.
He outlined five principles expected to guide the officers: discipline and integrity, respect for the rule of law, professional competence, respect for the public, and accountability in service delivery.
According to the governor, his administration is working towards a state where public spaces are properly managed, businesses can operate in an orderly environment and residents can pursue their activities in peace and security.
He also called on residents to cooperate with enforcement personnel, stressing that public safety and orderly communities require shared responsibility. However, he noted that cooperation would be strengthened when officers treated people fairly, listened to their concerns and respected their rights.
Sanwo-Olu commended LETI’s management and instructors for equipping personnel with skills needed to respond to the demands of a complex urban environment. He said modern enforcement required officers who were knowledgeable, emotionally mature and comfortable with technology.
“The true value of today’s ceremony will be demonstrated in the conduct of these officers in the field,” he said.
Earlier, LETI Chief Executive Officer Taiwo Bonnie said the 1,800 officers had completed the institute’s 2026 mandatory in-service training programme.
She identified the participating agencies as the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Community Development Board (CDB), Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
Bonnie said the curriculum covered law enforcement, technology, personal development, teamwork, inter-agency collaboration, health and wellness, stress management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first-response skills, physical fitness and field exercises.
She said the programme reflected the state government’s commitment to continuous professional development and improved public service, urging the graduates to apply their knowledge with courage, restraint, fairness and accountability.
Bonnie stressed that completing the course was only the beginning of the officers’ responsibility, adding that the practical value of the training would be measured by how they treated members of the public and carried out their duties.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and other stakeholders also pledged continued support for the institute’s efforts to improve the capacity and performance of law enforcement personnel.
LSSTF Director of Administration Lewis Adebola said the fund remained committed to supporting training initiatives aimed at improving officers’ effectiveness. He commended LETI for sustaining its capacity-building programmes and noted that personnel from federal security agencies had also participated in some of its training exercises.
Adebola said the institute conducted monthly training for 100 officers drawn from four security agencies, emphasising that regular training and retraining were necessary to help personnel perform their responsibilities effectively.
In a separate goodwill message, Adio Moses called for greater opportunities for law enforcement personnel to improve their educational qualifications and professional skills.
Moses said access to further education could strengthen officers’ knowledge, career prospects and contributions to public service. He cited certificate programmes introduced for local government personnel and other initiatives to improve the educational qualifications of the state workforce.
He urged LETI to explore similar long-term learning opportunities for its personnel, arguing that formal education could complement practical training and strengthen the institute’s capacity to develop competent officers.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating officers, Adesanyo Olubayo thanked the governor and LETI management for their support during the programme. He said the institute provided an ambulance and other medical support for trainees throughout the training.
Olubayo pledged that the graduates would put the knowledge and skills acquired to use in the service of Lagos State.
