LASTMA @25: we are the best, we’ve trained personnel from 26 different states and 4 countries in Africa -Bakare -Oki
By Collins Nkwocha
Lagos state has remained the major source of attraction in the Nigerian nation, other states of the federation crave and struggle to emulate her vibrant and impeccable legacies .Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is one of the agencies that has put the centre of Excellence in the pivotal position by being magnificently stupendous in her statutory responsibility of overseeing dynamic spectrum of vehicular mobility and other road activities.LASTMA has been very instrumental as it functions as a catalyst for economic stimulation and holistic advancement with a workforce of 4300 personnel against the initial 300 officers that started the agency in the year 2000,under the regime of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos state.
The General Manager of the agency,Mr.Olawale Bakare _Oki unveiled the agency’s policy compendium, designed to guide the operations of the agency in the years ahead at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island where the silver jubilee celebration took place on Tuesday,15th of July,2025.
He said “I want to unveil LASTMA Operational Guideline which contains the modus operandi,mode of operation which has been critically scrutinized, worked upon, within and outside LASTMA.We carefully selected those who stood out in traffic and transportation management across the globe to work on this book.On this note I want use this moment to unveil this book that is meant to guide us henceforth “.
He went further to admonish the agency as the best on the African continent”LASTMA is a special agency, the first in the entire nation and the best,we have trained personnel from 26 different states across the federation,we have trained personnel from 4 different African countries, this is an indelible and impeccable achievement and we’ll strive to maintain our lead by being very relentless and resolute in our operations”
The unveiling of the 20-Year Strategic Blueprint for Traffic Management marks a transformative chapter for LASTMA and Lagos State. This visionary plan is designed to prepare our city for the challenges of rapid urbanization and future traffic demands through smarter, safer, and more efficient traffic management solutions.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon Sola Giwa, in his welcome address, stated that an average LASTMA officer contributes nearly N97.5 million annually to the Lagos State economy by preserving man-hours, ensuring freight mobility, and reducing accident response time.
Giwa said that because of the diligence of LASTMA officers, N400 billion is being saved annually in productivity and economic value which could have been otherwise lost to traffic gridlock.
Going memory lane he said, “It was with this vision that LASTMA was established on July 15, 2000, to address the perennial traffic jams that made life difficult for Lagosians, to reduce road accidents, and to promote a culture of discipline and respect on our streets.
“The goal was clear: to ensure free flow of traffic, save valuable man-hours lost in congestion, and improve the quality of life in our fast-growing metropolis.
“Today, as we celebrate 25 years of LASTMA’s service, under the theme “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations,” we honour that visionary beginning, the remarkable journey of progress that has followed and the enduring legacy of our collective resolve to build a megacity that works for all its inhabitants.
“The journey over the past quarter-century has not been without its trials. Lagos, as a megacity, has faced unprecedented urban growth, population explosion, and increasing vehicle numbers, all of which have intensified traffic congestion and road safety concerns. LASTMA was borne out of the urgent need to restore order on our roads and improve the daily lives of millions of Lagosians.
“In those early years, the agency confronted infrastructural deficits, limited technology, and the daunting task of changing entrenched road user behaviours,” Giwa stated .
Indeed from the pioneering leadership of Engineer Adegboyega Coker to the current stewardship of General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki the agency has evolved into a model institution admired nationwide and beyond.
It is on record that the agency’s scope has expanded far beyond simple intersection management to encompass comprehensive traffic engineering, intelligent transportation systems, and strategic urban mobility planning.
He said, “The economic imperative for efficient traffic management in Lagos cannot be overstated.
“Independent studies consistently demonstrate that every minute saved on daily commutes translates into substantial productivity gains across our economy.
“Efficient traffic flow is thus a critical driver of Lagos State’s economic growth and a cornerstone of our vision for a world-class metropolis.
“Today, LASTMA boasts over 4,000 well-trained officers deployed strategically across Lagos to ensure smooth traffic flow, emergency response, and law enforcement.
