The Lagos State government, through its Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is set to host the National SEMA Conference 2025.

The permanent secretary, LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this while speaking with journalists during a press conference at Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday.

He said the conference scheduled to be held from October 2 to 4 in Lagos had the theme “Strengthening Sub-National Emergency Management for a Resilient Nigeria.”

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said Lagos State was ready to showcase its emergency preparedness to the rest of the country and exchange knowledge.

“This conference will be a platform to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and improve disaster management nationwide.

“We will bring together emergency managers, policymakers, development partners, security institutions, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

The permanent secretary provided statistics on how Lagos State had remained prepared in the face of emergencies.

“Lagos continues to lead the way in sub-national emergency management, having managed over 13,700 incidents between 2008 and 2025,” said Mr Oke-Osanyintolu.

He said the incidents included fires, road accidents, structural collapses, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies, and large-scale disasters.

“Recent data illustrate this impact,” said Mr Oke-Osanyintolu. “Over 1,450 emergencies were managed in just the first eight months of 2025.”

Mr. Oke-Osanyi stated that over 3,000 casualties were attended to in 2023, while more than 4,600 road and motor accidents and 2,400 fire outbreaks have been responded to since 2008.

“Targeted interventions for children since 2023 have improved survival outcomes.

“These achievements highlight the effectiveness of Lagos’ collaboration with NEMA, its use of technology and training, and its emphasis on community resilience,” Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said.

He reiterated the state’s emergency numbers, 767 and 112, for 24-hour response, assuring that the safety commission audits the performance of first responders to sustain public trust.

Similarly, Tunde Mohammed, NEMA’s Lagos zonal coordinator, also commended the partnership.

“The National SEMA Conference 2025 will further deepen coordination and preparedness across Nigeria,” he said. 

(NAN)