The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to host the maiden edition of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Conference 2025, scheduled to hold from Thursday, October 2 to Saturday, October 4.
Themed “Strengthening Sub-National Emergency Management for a Resilient Nigeria,” the conference is being organised in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Addressing journalists at the Kaltho Bagauda Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the event will bring together emergency managers, policymakers, development partners, security agencies, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, Lagos was chosen as host because of its record of successes in disaster and emergency management, which other states are eager to learn from.
“The opening ceremony and high-level dialogue will hold at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Maryland, Lagos, while sessions will feature keynote addresses, technical discussions, and cross-sector collaboration,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He disclosed that a live simulation exercise would also be staged at the Lagos State Emergency and Relief/Rescue Camp in Igando, demonstrating coordinated multi-agency responses to complex disaster scenarios.
Highlighting LASEMA’s achievements, the Permanent Secretary revealed that the agency has managed over 13,700 incidents between 2008 and 2025, ranging from fires, road accidents, and building collapses to hazardous material cases, medical emergencies, and large-scale disasters.
He added that more than 1,450 emergencies were recorded in just the first eight months of 2025, while in 2023 alone, LASEMA attended to over 3,000 casualties. Since 2008, the agency has responded to over 4,600 road and motor accidents and 2,400 fire outbreaks.
“These achievements highlight the effectiveness of Lagos’ collaboration with NEMA, its use of technology and training, and its emphasis on community resilience,” he noted.
Oke-Osanyintolu stressed that the SEMA Conference 2025 would provide a platform to chart a new course for sub-national emergency management, strengthening Nigeria’s overall disaster response capacity.