LASEMA says the new institute at Igando Relief Camp will build resilience, strengthen response capacity, and equip professionals with life-saving skills.
By Bunmi Yekini
The Lagos State Government has inaugurated the Institute of Disaster Management at the Igando Relief Camp, a landmark step aimed at boosting Nigeria’s capacity for emergency preparedness and disaster response.
The new institute, which will be supervised by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), is designed to serve as a training hub for professionals and responders across the country, a move described as a “symbol of growth, knowledge and resilience.”
Speaking during a media briefing on the sidelines of the National State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) Conference hosted in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the first set of trainees would be admitted in December 2025.
“The Institute will equip responders with the skills needed to manage and respond to disasters effectively,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “Over the past days, we have shared knowledge, strengthened partnerships, and built a stronger network of emergency managers across Nigeria.”
He commended the resilience and collaboration of SEMA leaders from the 36 states and the FCT, who attended the maiden conference to chart a new course for emergency management in Nigeria.
Highlighting one of the event’s memorable moments, Oke-Osanyintolu noted that each state representative received a signed portrait frame as a gesture of unity and shared purpose.
“That signature is more than ink; it is a personal reminder that you carry a part of me, one that cannot be replicated or made by anyone else,” he explained. “It symbolises my respect, my gratitude, and my unwavering commitment to our collective mission of saving lives and property in our communities.”
The Permanent Secretary also expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his consistent investment in emergency management infrastructure and personnel development across Lagos State.
“We thank our partners, NEMA, IOM, Eight Medical, and others, for believing in our vision and supporting us every step of the way. Your contributions made all the difference,” he added.
He further praised the dedication of LASEMA’s first responders, logistics teams, and field officers, describing their teamwork as the “backbone of the agency’s success.”
The National SEMA Conference, which held from October 2nd to 4th, brought together emergency management leaders, policymakers, and international partners to foster collaboration and strengthen Nigeria’s disaster response framework.