By: Manoah Kikekon
IKEJA, LAGOS — In a major leap toward its "Smart City" ambition, the Lagos State Government has officially launched the Lagos Emergency Responders Management System (LERMS). This unified digital ecosystem is designed to slash response times and bridge the communication gap between distressed citizens and first responders.
Unveiled at Alausa on Monday, April 27, 2026, the platform integrates high-tech surveillance, artificial intelligence, and multi-channel reporting to ensure that in a city of over 20 million people, help is only a click away.
LERMS marks a shift from fragmented emergency protocols to a centralized, intelligent framework. The system connects key agencies—including LASAMBUS, LASTMA, and the Lagos State Fire Service into a single operational loop.
Femi Giwa, General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre (LSCCC), described the launch as a transformative milestone for public safety.
“LERMS is a robust, technology-driven framework that enhances precision and responsiveness. It integrates citizens, responders, and the control centre into a unified digital ecosystem aimed at improving coordination and operational efficiency,” Giwa stated.
One of the most innovative features of LERMS is its use of **Artificial Intelligence (AI) to verify incident reports in real-time. This middleware is designed to filter out prank calls and minimize false alarms, ensuring resources are directed where they are most needed. Residents can now report emergencies via:
The Eko Help Mobile App
USSD Codes and SMS
Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Social Media Platforms
The system also features automatic location tracking, eliminating the often-fatal delays caused by callers struggling to describe their exact location during a crisis.
The platform isn't just about reporting; it's about management. LERMS includes an Ambulance Services Management System that tracks hospital bed capacity and ambulance proximity in real-time. It also boasts "predictive intelligence" to detect early signs of hazards like gas leaks.
Gbenga Oyerinde, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, emphasized that proactive systems are no longer a luxury but a necessity for Lagos.
“In a megacity like Lagos, proactive and intelligent systems are essential. This platform ensures faster response times, improved coordination, and better resource allocation,” Oyerinde remarked.
The project was developed in partnership with SOFTSEER Ltd, whose Managing Director, Iyanu Fakoya, handed over the operational assets during the event. Fakoya noted that the system reinforces existing infrastructure rather than replacing it, creating a more resilient safety net.
“What we are witnessing today is not merely a handover, but the beginning of a system designed to transform how emergencies are reported, verified, and addressed—ensuring that every second counts,” Fakoya said.
NAN