Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that anyone who attacks officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority will face the full wrath of the law.
The governor made this known during LASTMA’s 25th anniversary celebration at the second Lagos Traffic Conference held on Tuesday.
The event, themed “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations,” was attended by key stakeholders in the transportation sector.
Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Governor Sanwo-Olu paid tribute to LASTMA officers for their dedication under often difficult conditions.
“I want to specially recognise the men and women of LASTMA who have dedicated themselves, often under challenging and sometimes perilous circumstances, to the critical task of keeping Lagos moving. Your uniform represents the thin yellow line that stands firmly between order and chaos on our roads,” he said.
The governor praised their professionalism in transforming Lagos traffic management and ensuring commuter safety daily.
The governor outlined plans to modernize LASTMA with advanced technology solutions. These include artificial intelligence-powered transportation systems, automated number plate recognition, and drone surveillance to enhance traffic monitoring and incident response.
He emphasized that LASTMA would become a technologically empowered agency capable of handling 21st-century urban mobility challenges.
Keynote speaker Mr. Sridhar Uttara, President of U.S.-based engineering firm Infotran, advised Lagos to establish a Unified Mobility Control Center and expand its IT systems on priority corridors.
He stressed the need to train traffic officers in AI and data tools while investing in smart mobility labs and pilot zones for improved traffic management.
Special Adviser on Transportation Mr. Sola Giwa acknowledged the persistent challenges facing LASTMA, including rapid urban population growth, driver indiscipline, and public apathy toward traffic personnel.
“LASTMA is not bound to all hurdles before them… While they are not insurmountable, we still have opportunities under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership,” Giwa stated, highlighting the administration’s commitment to addressing these issues.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, paid emotional tribute to LASTMA officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. “I know some of the dead officers shown, this is when they were trying to make Apapa safe. That is the nature of what LASTMA is… they should be appreciated,” Opeifa said, commending their sacrifices to keep Lagos moving.
The event featured the unveiling of LASTMA’s 20-year policy compendium by General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who explained that the document was developed by transportation experts from within and outside Nigeria to serve as operational guidelines for the agency.
The celebration also included awards for winners of the Lagos State Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme, with best-performing students receiving iPads.
Dignitaries at the event included representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps, and Ogun State Traffic Management Authority, among others.
The gathering served as both a celebration of LASTMA’s achievements and a platform to chart the course for improved traffic management in Africa’s most populous city.
