The Lagos State Government is hosting the National Convening of Gender-Based Violence State Coordinators from September 24th – 25th, 2026, bringing together stakeholders from across Nigeria to strengthen a unified and coordinated response to Gender-Based Violence.
Themed “Strengthening a Unified and Coordinated Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria,” the two-day flagship event provides a platform for stakeholders to examine existing GBV structures, identify gaps and challenges, strengthen collaboration, and advance more coordinated prevention and response systems across the country.
The programme is organised with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II) @RoLACNG, and the End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme (ESGBV) @ESGBV_NG
, both funded by the European Union @EUinNigeria and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) @IIDEA_UN.
Welcoming participants, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, emphasised the need for stronger coordination among States and institutions in addressing Gender-Based Violence.
He noted that the launch of the Lagos State Gender-Based Violence Prevention Policy would strengthen the State’s prevention framework and provide a structured approach to addressing the root causes of GBV.
The opening session featured goodwill messages from the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.; and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS was also represented.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, highlighted the importance of sustained commitment and collective action in preventing Gender-Based Violence and protecting women, children and other vulnerable persons.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, delivered the Governor’s address and formally launched the Lagos State Gender-Based Violence Prevention Policy.
The Governor described the convening as a strategic platform for strengthening institutional capacity, fostering inter-state collaboration and harmonising response mechanisms.
He urged participants to share experiences, strengthen referral pathways and develop systems that place survivors at the centre of interventions.
The event also featured a panel discussion on the historical journey of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, with perspectives from law enforcement, the judiciary, health sector, and civil society organisations.
Day Two will focus on coordinated SGBV response systems, case management, referral pathways, multi-sectoral collaboration and a survivor-focused session, themed “Justice Through the Lens of Survivors.”
The programme will conclude with commitments from participating States and the development of a communiqué outlining action plans for the coming year.
