Reforms introduced by Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) are redefining how traffic is managed across Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Officials say the changes focus on technology, faster emergency response and improved professionalism among traffic officers.

Lagos, a megacity of more than 20 million people, depends heavily on efficient movement of goods and commuters. Congestion disrupts businesses, delays emergency services and costs the economy billions annually.

Bakare-Oki, the agency’s General Manager, says the reforms were designed to move traffic management from reactive enforcement to preventive coordination.

“We recognised that a megacity like Lagos demands intelligent, technology-driven traffic solutions. Our focus has been on modernisation, professionalism and strategic collaboration,” he said.

Why it matters

Traffic congestion in Lagos affects productivity, fuel consumption and public safety.

Digital upgrade and real-time coordination

Under the reforms, LASTMA has deployed upgraded real-time communication systems linking field officers to central command centres.

Manual documentation processes have been replaced with digital reporting platforms, aimed at improving transparency and operational tracking.

Officials say congestion-prone corridors are now identified through data analysis, allowing strategic deployment before peak-hour traffic builds up.

A senior official at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) welcomed the coordination.

“Joint communication platforms enhance our ability to respond quickly and reduce road fatalities,” the official said.

Emergency response overhaul

The agency says it has positioned rapid-response units along critical routes to reduce delays in clearing road incidents.

Collaboration has also expanded with the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigeria Police Force.

Authorities say the integrated response structure has reduced secondary crashes and improved survival rates in emergencies.

Professionalism and training reforms

Beyond technology, the agency says it has strengthened training through partnerships with the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) and the Nigerian Police Training School.

Training modules now include ethical conduct, emotional intelligence and digital literacy.

Bakare-Oki says internal monitoring mechanisms have also been reinforced.

“Professional integrity is non-negotiable. Transparency and accountability are central to restoring public confidence,” he said.

Public engagement and awareness

The agency has increased public enlightenment campaigns through media and stakeholder engagements.

What’s next?

Lagos continues to expand, with ongoing infrastructure projects and rising vehicle ownership.

For now, officials maintain that Lagos traffic management reforms mark a structural shift in how the city approaches mobility governance.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says it rescued 1,075 injured crash victims across Lagos in 2025, in what it describes as a sign of improving emergency response and stronger road safety enforcement.

The agency also impounded 17,169 vehicles for various traffic violations and arrested hundreds of one-way offenders during the year.

Officials say the figures reflect a more proactive approach to traffic management in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Why it matters

Lagos is one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, with millions of daily road users.

Traffic crashes remain a major public safety concern, often linked to speeding, mechanical failure, reckless driving and illegal one-way movements.

LASTMA said many of the rescued victims were involved in accidents caused by excessive speed, fatigue, impaired driving and dangerous manoeuvres.

The agency believes quicker rescue interventions helped reduce injury severity and prevent further fatalities.

Enforcement numbers in 2025

According to LASTMA:

5,581 private vehicles were impounded for traffic infractions.

10,825 commercial vehicles were apprehended for offences including overloading, obstruction and mechanical defects.

760 vehicles were arrested for driving against traffic.

The authority described one-way violations as a “major precipitating factor in catastrophic collisions”.

It said the impoundment of vehicles forms part of a broader deterrence strategy designed to withdraw unsafe vehicles from circulation.

What LASTMA says

The General Manager of LASTMA said the statistics represent “a deliberate transition toward proactive traffic governance anchored on the deployment of modern technology, intelligence-driven enforcement and sustained public enlightenment”.

He added that officers “remain at the vanguard of emergency response operations, frequently exposing themselves to operational hazards in order to rescue injured victims, secure crash scenes, restore traffic fluidity and coordinate seamlessly with medical and rescue agencies to avert secondary incidents”.

The agency stressed that enforcement alone would not guarantee lasting safety.

“Road safety remains a collective obligation,” the General Manager said, urging motorists to obey speed limits and avoid one-way driving.

What’s next?

LASTMA says it will deepen public enlightenment campaigns and expand technology-driven monitoring systems.

The agency also pledged continued collaboration with emergency responders to strengthen incident management across high-risk corridors.

As Lagos continues to expand, authorities face the challenge of balancing enforcement with mobility in a city where traffic congestion remains a daily reality.

JMG Haulage, the logistics and haulage arm of JMG, says it has expanded its fleet to meet rising demand for reliable transportation across Nigeria’s key commercial corridors.

The company announced the addition of 20 new heavy-duty haulage trucks, a move it says will significantly improve long-haul delivery capacity and reduce turnaround times for businesses operating nationwide.

Founded in 2019, JMG Haulage started with just four trucks, serving internal distribution and a handful of third-party clients.

Through steady growth and operational discipline, the company expanded to 31 heavy-duty and 16 light-duty trucks before the latest fleet upgrade.

Why it matters

Nigeria’s supply chains depend heavily on road transport, especially for fast-moving consumer goods, industrial inputs, and agricultural products.

The new trucks are configured as 24-pallet units, each capable of carrying up to 45 tonnes, allowing JMG Haulage to handle large-scale, long-distance deliveries more efficiently.

Mixed-energy strategy

JMG Haulage says the new fleet reflects a mixed-energy approach aimed at balancing efficiency and sustainability.

Ten of the trucks run on compressed natural gas (CNG), with a driving range of up to 1,400 kilometres, while the remaining ten are diesel-powered to ensure flexibility across different routes and terrains.

What the company is saying

Speaking on the expansion, the General Manager of JMG Haulage, Mohamad Dayekh, described the move as a strategic milestone.

“This fleet expansion is a strategic milestone for JMG Haulage. It allows us to scale our haulage and logistics capacity nationwide while maintaining high service standards, cost efficiency, and safety. By investing in both CNG and diesel technologies, we are strengthening reliability for our customers today while preparing JMG Haulage for a more sustainable future.”

Operational impact

The company says the fleet rollout was completed in January 2026 after inspections, branding, driver deployment, and route planning.

As a result, monthly operational mileage is expected to rise from about 150,000 kilometres to 250,000 kilometres.

JMG Haulage says this will improve delivery timelines, reduce congestion in its operations, and allow it to onboard new customers without disrupting existing services.

Industry reach

Operating on a pan-Nigeria scale, the company serves clients across the North, South, East, and West.

Its haulage services support sectors including FMCG, agro-products, chemicals, cosmetics, electrical goods, generators, and industrial equipment.

Logistics industry observers say diversified sector coverage can help operators stay resilient amid economic fluctuations.

Safety and maintenance

JMG Haulage says the expanded fleet is backed by dedicated maintenance teams, preventive servicing programmes, and OEM-led technical training.

The company also monitors cost-per-kilometre and vehicle performance to ensure safety and efficiency across its operations.

What’s next

Looking ahead, JMG Haulage says it plans to expand into cold-chain logistics and increase investment in green haulage solutions.

The company says the move aligns with global sustainability expectations and Nigeria’s growing demand for specialised logistics services.