The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched its State-Level Coordination Meeting on the Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), as part of the implementation framework of the 2024 CNAI National Protection Policy and Strategy (NPPS). The event, held on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the IHS office in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

Delivering his keynote address, the State Commandant of NSCDC Lagos, Mr. Keshinro Adedotun, explained that the summit was convened at the directive of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). He noted that the Corps had been tasked with leading inter-agency collaboration to safeguard assets critical to Nigeria’s security, stability, and economic growth.

Commandant Adedotun emphasized the strategic importance of Lagos as host to some of the nation’s most vital assets, including seaports, airports, energy facilities, telecommunications hubs, financial institutions, and transport corridors. While these make the state a stronghold for the country, he said, they also render it a prime target for hostile actors and economic saboteurs.

Welcoming participants, the Chief of Corporate Services at IHS, Mr. Dapo Otunla, praised the initiative and urged all stakeholders to maximize the summit as a platform for generating practical solutions to protect Nigeria’s critical infrastructure. He lauded NSCDC for fostering synergy across sectors and reaffirmed IHS’s commitment to supporting national security efforts.

The event featured goodwill messages from key agencies, including the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Stakeholders in attendance commended NSCDC Lagos for organizing the summit, noting that the initiative has deepened inter-agency collaboration against vandalism, sabotage, and other threats to critical infrastructure. Participants also stressed the need for a broader framework that allows for wider stakeholder involvement in the implementation of the CNAI-NPPS across the country.

The meeting also provided a platform for interventions, contributions, and recommendations from participants. These inputs will feed into a comprehensive communiqué to be submitted to relevant authorities for policy guidance and action.

Commandant Adedotun further disclosed that additional engagements will be held with traditional rulers, religious institutions, and other grassroots stakeholders in Lagos State. According to him, their contributions will form a vital component of the broader CNAI-NPPS implementation framework.

The summit was attended by representatives of major security agencies, regulatory bodies, and private sector operators, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), MTN, Airtel, Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies, MENJ Oil, Fiber One, the Scrap Dealers Association (Lagos Chapter), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), among others.

The gathering underscored the importance of unified efforts in protecting Nigeria’s critical national assets and infrastructure against emerging threats, while reaffirming the NSCDC’s role as lead agency in the sector.

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