The Lagos State government has disclosed that 6,753 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reported across the state in 2025, with 2,460 survivors obtaining justice through various intervention and support mechanisms put in place by the government.
The
government also revealed that 116 offenders were prosecuted during the period,
while 3,099 survivors received recovery and support services, underscoring
ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence and protect vulnerable residents.
The
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia
Dada, disclosed the figures on Monday during the ministry’s ministerial press
briefing commemorating the second year of the second term of Governor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
According
to the commissioner, of the 6,753 reported GBV cases, 6,213 involved female
victims, while 540 involved male.
She
added that 2,263 female survivors and 197 male survivors secured justice
through legal and institutional interventions.
Dada
said the ministry had continued to strengthen its response framework through
mediation, counselling, awareness campaigns, emergency intervention services
and partnerships with relevant agencies and development organisations.
She
noted that 273 survivors were provided with livelihood support programmes aimed
at helping them rebuild their lives and attain financial independence, while
3,099 victims benefitted from recovery, counselling and support services.
The
commissioner explained that the Domestic Violence Unit of the ministry remains
at the forefront of efforts to address domestic violence and sexual and
gender-based violence across Lagos.
“The
Domestic Violence Unit remains dedicated to its mandate of eradicating domestic
violence and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all residents of
Lagos State. Through sustained collaboration, policy support and resource
allocation, we are expanding our reach and impact in the fight against domestic
violence and gender-based abuse,” she said.
Dada
disclosed that the ministry implemented 75,037 preventive actions against GBV
during the review period through community sensitisation campaigns, advocacy
programmes and public enlightenment initiatives conducted across urban, rural
and riverine communities in the state.
She
said the interventions targeted schools, religious institutions, community
leaders, men and boys, as well as vulnerable groups, with the objective of
preventing abuse and promoting non-violent conflict resolution.
According
to her, the ministry has also strengthened emergency response mechanisms
through its Call Service Centre, which is integrated with the Lagos State
Command and Control Centre via the 767 emergency number.
Dada
said the centre serves as a critical platform for receiving reports, conducting
initial assessments, providing information on available support services and
connecting survivors to counselling, shelters, legal aid and law enforcement
agencies.
She
revealed that 340 cases were reported through the contact centre during the
period under review, demonstrating growing public confidence in the state’s
response system.
The
commissioner further highlighted the state’s collaboration with agencies such
as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), the Ministry of Youth and
Social Development, the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police Force,
the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Lagos Neighbourhood
Safety Corps, and development partners including the United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA).
Dada
also pointed to the completion of a survivor shelter in Agidingbi and the
launch of the Lagos State Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH)
Policy as major milestones in strengthening protection for survivors and
promoting safer learning environments across tertiary institutions in the
state.
She
reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to domestic
violence and all forms of gender-based abuse, stressing that the protection of
women, children and vulnerable persons remains a key priority of the Sanwo-Olu
administration.
“The
success of our interventions is a reflection of the state’s commitment to
social inclusion, protection of vulnerable groups and the creation of safer
communities where residents can live with dignity and security,” she said.
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