Lagos State’s drive to safeguard women, children, and other vulnerable groups has earned it top national honours once again, as it leads the 2025 SGBV performance ranking for the third year.
The sub-national assessment, conducted annually by Invictus Africa with support from the Ford Foundation, rates all 36 states and the FCT across four key performance pillars: prevention and awareness, support services, law and policy, and budgetary commitment to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) response.
According to the organisers, Lagos consistently outperformed other states due to its structured prevention programmes, robust survivor-support systems, strengthened legal frameworks, and sustained government investment in coordinated SGBV interventions.
Receiving the award on behalf of the State, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, described the recognition as a “strong validation” of the government’s dedication to protecting the rights of residents, especially the vulnerable.
She credited the achievement to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering political backing, noting that the administration’s support has enabled DSVA and partner agencies to expand critical services, intensify awareness campaigns, and improve access to justice for survivors.
Vivour-Adeniyi also applauded Lagos residents for embracing the State’s zero-tolerance stance on SGBV by reporting cases, supporting community campaigns, and standing against harmful practices.
Reaffirming the State Government’s commitment, the DSVA boss said Lagos will continue to strengthen mechanisms for prevention, increase protection resources, and ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law.
“Lagos State will not relent in driving initiatives that protect survivors, prevent violence before it occurs, and reduce this menace to the barest minimum,” she added.
