Transportation
NARTO Begins New Driver Safety Training as Brake Failures and Drunk Driving Spark Concern
Truck owners under the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have launched a new round of safety training for drivers amid rising concerns over brake failures, alcohol use on the road and poor licensing compliance across the haulage sector.
The programme, held in Lagos, is designed as an “on-the-job” training for active truck drivers and aims to reduce fatal crashes on major highways.
Why This Matters
Nigeria’s haulage sector continues to record avoidable accidents caused by brake failures, intoxicated driving, inattention, and drivers operating heavy-duty vehicles with the wrong licence category.
Transport unions and safety experts say improved driver training could save thousands of lives each year.
‘Safety Is Everyone’s Business’ — NARTO
Speaking at the training, NARTO’s Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Kamaldeen, who also represents the State Chairman said the programme reinforces the organisation’s responsibility as a “critical stakeholder” in national road safety.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility — drivers, vehicle owners, road users and other motorists,” he said.
“Our primary goal is to protect lives. After that, we protect the vehicles, because they are investments. This training complements the Lagos State government’s efforts under Governor Dr… to make our roads safer.”
He said drivers were being taught practical skills including highway signs, proper vehicle handling and how to react in difficult road situations.
NARTO plans to hold the training every six months and is working to establish long-term partnerships with regulatory agencies.
Industry Reactions: ‘Brake Failures Are Killing People’
Rescue team leader, Ayinde Kasali Olaiya, who works along major truck routes, warned that many deadly incidents stem from preventable faults.
“If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink,” he said repeatedly.
“Many trucks don’t have good brakes. Some drivers patch the brakes with area boys on the road. That’s why trucks get stranded, and accidents happen.”
He added that some drivers ignore warning signs from their vehicles and continue driving due to pressure.
Olaiya praised recent government interventions, saying coordination between rescue teams, police and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has helped reduce incidents linked to brake failures.
Drivers Say Training Is Changing Behaviour
Several drivers who took part in the training said they had already begun adjusting their habits.
Abass Abdul-Laziz, a driver with over six years’ experience, said the session had been valuable.
“It really taught us a lot,” he said. “I appreciate what they taught us today.”
Another driver, Tosin Ali, who has been in the profession for five years, said the training reinforced patience and the importance of recognising road signs.
“Safety comes first,” he said. “Getting there safely is more important than getting there fast.”
Tijani Lawal, another participant, said he plans to share the lessons with colleagues.
“When you are on the road, focus on where you’re going. Don’t look left and right unnecessarily,” he said.
“And don’t drink and drive. When you are off duty, you can do what you like but not on the road.”
Licensing Problems: ‘Only 3 Drivers Had the Correct Papers’
Transport safety consultant, Adeleye Adetokunbo Thomas, who led the capacity-building session, said a major concern is that most drivers of high-capacity trucks lack the correct licence category.
“Drivers of high-capacity vehicles need Class G licences, but most only have Class D,” he said.
“Only three drivers here had the proper documentation. They have about two months to upgrade.”
He said quarterly follow-ups will be conducted over the next year to track compliance.
Thomas advised drivers to maintain calmness, drive defensively and maintain respectful relationships with law enforcement agencies.
What’s Next?
NARTO will begin periodic follow-ups with drivers, while rescue teams and regulators plan joint highway checks focusing on brake systems, alcohol enforcement and licence verification.
The association says its next goal is to build a continuous safety education pipeline for the haulage industry.
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.
The Lagos State Government says it will begin a large-scale health and safety programme targeting commercial drivers across the state, with at least 10,000 drivers expected to benefit.
The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Transportation, is aimed at improving road safety by ensuring drivers are medically fit, alert, and capable of operating vehicles safely.
According to the government, the programme will run from Monday 9 February to Thursday 12 February 2026, and will take place across multiple transport hubs in Lagos.
Why it matters
Lagos has one of the busiest road and logistics networks in Africa, with thousands of truck and commercial drivers transporting goods daily from ports, depots, and industrial zones.
Officials say poor eyesight, untreated medical conditions, and substance abuse have continued to contribute to road crashes involving commercial vehicles.
The government believes addressing these issues directly among drivers could reduce accidents, protect lives, and support economic activity.
What the programme includes
Drivers participating in the programme will receive free eye screenings, medical consultations, corrective lenses, as well as substance abuse awareness and screening.
The screenings will be conducted at four major locations: Iyana Iba, Obalende, Lekki Free Trade Zone Parks, and the Lilly Pond Bonded Terminal in Apapa.
Government explanation
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya, said the initiative was designed to address the occupational health challenges faced by professional drivers, particularly truck operators.
“The initiative is designed to address the occupational, health, and safety challenges faced by professional drivers, particularly truck drivers; who play a critical role in sustaining Lagos State’s economy and logistics ecosystem.”
He added that the overall goal was to ensure drivers leaving ports, depots, and parks were physically and mentally fit to use the roads safely.
“The overall goal of the initiative is to ensure that every driver departing seaports, depots, and parks across Lagos State is physically fit, mentally alert, and visually capable of navigating the roads safely.”
Call to transport unions
The state government has urged transport owners, associations, and unions to support the programme by mobilising drivers and granting access to parks and depots.
Officials say cooperation from industry stakeholders will determine how many drivers ultimately benefit from the initiative.
What’s next
The Ministry of Transportation says feedback from the programme will guide future road safety policies and driver-focused interventions in Lagos.
Drivers and transport operators seeking further information have been advised to contact the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Transport and Logistics.
Motorists using the busy Lekki–Epe Expressway are being assured of smooth traffic flow as Lagos begins a 64-day rehabilitation of the key economic corridor.
The Lekki–Epe Expressway is one of Lagos’ most critical transport routes, linking residents, businesses and Nigeria’s largest private industrial assets.
Disruptions on the corridor often ripple across the state’s economy, affecting commute times, logistics, fuel distribution and port operations.
With the road now undergoing repairs, traffic management has become a major public concern.
What the Lagos government is saying
The Lagos State Government says the expressway will not be closed during the rehabilitation.
Speaking on Monday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, said comprehensive traffic plans are already in place to limit disruption.
“The rehabilitation exercise will not entail the closure of the expressway,” Mr Giwa said, adding that traffic control would focus on “critical and designated intersections” to sustain smooth vehicular movement.
Traffic plans and enforcement
Mr Giwa said traffic management has been broken into phased operations, with more personnel deployed along the corridor.
“Over 305 operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been deployed to strengthen the three existing traffic management zones on the axis,” he said.
According to him, the goal is to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow, quick emergency response and strict enforcement of traffic rules.
Economic pressure on the corridor
The Lagos government acknowledged that traffic on the Lekki–Epe Expressway has increased sharply in recent years.
Mr Giwa linked the surge to major developments along the route, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, and other fast-growing industrial and commercial hubs.
These projects have significantly raised the volume of private vehicles, haulage trucks and commercial traffic on the road.
Technology and emergency response
To prevent gridlock caused by breakdowns, LASTMA has deployed recovery vehicles of varying capacities.
“High, medium and low-capacity recovery vehicles, including tow trucks, have been positioned for the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles,” Mr Giwa said.
He also disclosed that the agency will deploy drone technology for real-time monitoring.
“This will help in the swift identification and resolution of traffic incidents along the Lekki–Epe Expressway and other strategic locations in Lagos,” he added.
Security and safety measures
The traffic plan also includes road safety enhancements.
Mr Giwa said the rehabilitation period will feature clear directional signage, improved lighting and other safety measures.
Personnel from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) have also been deployed to support LASTMA operations and ensure public safety.
Alternative routes for motorists
Motorists are being encouraged to reduce pressure on the expressway by using alternative routes.
Mr Giwa specifically recommended the Coaster Road from Ogombo through Abraham Adesanya, describing it as a viable option during the rehabilitation period.
Public cooperation urged
Authorities say the success of the project depends largely on public behaviour.
“Motorists are urged to exercise patience, demonstrate civic responsibility, obey traffic regulations and cooperate with traffic officers,” Mr Giwa said.
He stressed that discipline and cooperation would be key to preventing unnecessary congestion.
How to report traffic incidents
LASTMA has asked road users to report emergencies promptly.
Motorists can contact the agency via its toll-free hotline: 080000527862, with assurances of a fast and coordinated response.
What’s next
The rehabilitation is scheduled to last 64 days, with traffic measures reviewed continuously based on road conditions and traffic volume.
The Lagos State Government says the project is part of broader efforts to improve mobility, public safety and economic efficiency across the state.
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