The Lagos State Government has lamented that Lagos residents lose a staggering N1 trillion annually due to the productivity lost in traffic gridlock across the state.
This is according to the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa.
Giwa made this disclosure on Tuesday at the opening of the Second Lagos Traffic Conference, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island. The conference is part of the week-long events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
According to him, Lagos commuters spend an average of six hours daily in traffic, leading to enormous losses in man-hours and overall productivity.
However, he noted that LASTMA’s operations and interventions have helped recover an estimated N4 billion in productivity previously lost to traffic-related delays.
“The economic cost of traffic congestion in Lagos is enormous, estimated at over N1 trillion annually. With an average travel time of six hours daily for many residents, it is imperative we rethink our traffic management strategies,” Giwa said.
Themed “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations,” the three-day conference was formally opened by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
The high-level gathering drew transport experts, technocrats, policy makers, law enforcement officials, academics, private sector stakeholders, and international partners, all converging to explore sustainable solutions to Lagos’ perennial traffic issues.
In a significant highlight of the event, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, unveiled the Lagos State 20-Year Strategic Traffic Management Policy, which he described as a long-term vision to reform and modernise traffic systems in the state.
“This strategic framework is a bold, transformative blueprint aimed at improving traffic flow, upgrading infrastructure, strengthening enforcement, and adopting smart mobility solutions,” Bakare-Oki stated.
The policy, according to him, aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda and is designed to make Lagos a model for urban traffic efficiency in Africa.
As the conference continues, participants are expected to deliberate on key innovations, such as AI-powered traffic systems, improved signage and road networks, and community-driven traffic awareness campaigns, in order to reduce congestion and improve the commuter experience across the state.
