Traffic congestion in Lagos is not just an inconvenience—it’s a costly daily reality. A study by the Danne Institute reveals that Lagosians lose an average of 2.21 hours every day commuting, accounting for approximately 14 million work hours lost daily. Shockingly, the state bleeds nearly ₦4 trillion each year due to congestion-related delays, fuel waste, diminished productivity, and public health harm.
Against this backdrop, the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to ease the gridlock. Their approach ties directly into Traffic congestion solutions in Lagos, focusing on infrastructure expansion, modern traffic technology, enforcement, and better mobility options. Every initiative, from smart cameras to the rail network expansion, is aimed at transforming the commuting experience while cutting the economic and social toll.
In this article, we take a deep dive—section by section—into the measures already deployed, those underway, and the ones being planned. No fluff, no hype—just straightforward, verifiable insight into how Lagos is tackling its pulse-point challenge: traffic congestion.
Heavy Infrastructure Expansion
Metro Rail Network
Blue Line
The electric Blue Line, the first of its kind in sub‑Saharan Africa, began commercial service on 4 September 2023. Covering an initial 13 km between Marina and Mile 2 with five operational stations, this first phase drastically slashed commute times—now about 20 minutes compared to the previous three-hour grind by road. Full operation is expected to span 27 km with up to 13 stations by 2027.
Red Line
Launched in October 2024, the diesel-powered Red Line runs 27 km between Agbado and Oyingbo, stopping at eight strategic stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo. It’s engineered to handle around 500,000 passengers daily in its current phase, with plans to extend to Marina and connect seamlessly with the Blue Line.
Green Line (Planned)
This 68 km stretch from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone received its MoU on 6 September 2024. On 10 April 2025, full planning details were unveiled, estimating initial ridership at 500,000/day, scalable to over a million. With financing in place and technical support from MOFI and CHEC, construction could begin later this year.
These three lines form a cohesive, multi‑modal rail spine—designed to divert hundreds of thousands of commuters off jammed roads every day.
Road Widening & Junction Upgrades
Since May 2019, the current administration has completed 172 road projects totaling nearly 178 km, rehabilitating over 2,700 roads—approximately 431 km—including the critical Lagos–Badagry Expressway. In the past year, 61 roads (56.5 km) and five new bridges were delivered, with 147 additional projects ongoing.
Key corridors seeing upgrades include the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, with phased repair on Iganmu Bridge, Eric Moore Road, Babs Animashaun Road, and Baale Junction alongside traffic diversions; and the Lekki–Epe Expressway, a tolled PPP route now being widened and integrated with transit systems.
Sixty notorious gridlock points have been assessed. So far, 28 junctions have been completely reconfigured and 22 more are in progress across Ikeja, Maryland, Allen, and Toyin–Opebi. These junctions are also receiving smart traffic lights, improved lane marking, and pedestrian safety features—minimizing bottlenecks and enhancing flow.
Fourth Mainland Bridge (Planned)
The Fourth Mainland Bridge, a signature part of the long-term plan, is a 38 km dual carriageway linking Lekki-Ajah to Lagos Island and includes a dedicated BRT corridor. Feasibility studies are finalized and construction is slated for 2025. This bridge is expected to relieve massive strain on the Third Mainland Bridge.
Smart Traffic Management Technologies
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) & Adaptive Signals
Lagos has significantly invested in state-of-the-art Intelligent Transport Systems in partnership with Huawei, deploying four ITS hubs at critical choke points like Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki–Epe corridor, Ojota, and Ojodu-Berger. These systems integrate high-resolution video and ANPR cameras, enabling signals to adapt to real-time traffic and dynamically ease congestion. Over 600 smart surveillance cameras and ITS-enabled devices are installed. The result: a 30% reduction in human-dependent enforcement, and less friction between traffic wardens and drivers.
Traffic Management Solution (TMS) & Body Cameras
LASTMA’s Traffic Management Solution, introduced in July 2023, equips officers with handheld body cameras to record photo and video evidence of violations—automating enforcement and reducing confrontations. By 2023, 500 TMS cameras had been distributed; in 2024 alone they accounted for 20,000 captured violations and 16,824 physical apprehensions (8,535 events involved commercial vehicles). By December 2024, 4,305 of 4,335 staff had received training in emotional intelligence, ethics, and human rights—enabling more respectful, effective enforcement.
Automated Violations & Speed Monitoring
Fifty-three ANPR cameras were rolled out between 2023 and early 2024, capturing 856,680 violations between January 2023 and March 2024, covering infractions like wrong-way driving and illegal plates. In March 2025, VIS announced plans to deploy 3,000 smart cameras for speed enforcement, coupled with an SMS-based fine system that informs drivers instantly and allows them to contest through legal channels.
Traffic Monitoring Center & Data Integration
All captured data—video feeds, plate readings, violation logs—are streamed to central control rooms, enabling real-time adaptive signal control, violation verification with timestamped evidence, and analysis to identify gridlock sources. Plans include scaling CCTV networks and variable message signs city-wide. Lagos Traffic Radio (96.1 FM) serves as the auditory traffic dashboard, updating commuters in real time.
Parking & Event Traffic Policies
Smart Parking Initiatives
The Lagos State Parking Authority kicked off a parking lane marking program in late 2022 into 2023. Marked lanes in Surulere, Ikoyi, Lekki, Obalende, Ikeja, and Victoria Island guide proper parking, improve pedestrian safety, and reduce roadside chaos. In April 2023, LASPA partnered with ARCA Payment Ltd to roll out a parking-payment app handling permits, payments, enforcement data, and central records. The system aims for accountability and improved revenue management. LASPA continues enforcing parking rules by monitoring registered and unregistered lots, targeting indiscriminate parking—especially from event organizers and religious centers.
Event Management Regulations
In March 2024, Lagos convened a stakeholders’ forum—with event operators, LASTMA, and safety agencies—to create traffic guidelines for gatherings aimed at reducing road congestion from unmanaged parking and blockages. Events now require approval from LASTMA at least seven days in advance, enabling route planning, officer deployment, and traffic coordination. LASTMA can deny permits, impose fines, or shut down non-compliant events, and major events like the November 2024 Women’s Run saw coordinated deployment of LASTMA, police, FRSC, and local safety personnel to manage closures and alternative routes.
Multi‑Modal Transport Integration
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) & Bus Reform Initiative
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority is upgrading BRT corridors with high-capacity articulated buses to reduce dependence on danfos. In May 2025, the Bus Reform Initiative launched on the Lekki–Epe corridor, uniting private operators under strict safety, training, and technology standards, including defensive-driving training, VIS inspection, and payment via Cowry Card.
Ferry & Water Taxi Services
Under the €410 million Omi Eko initiative, Lagos plans to dredge 15 routes, upgrade 25 jetties, and introduce 78 electric ferries. Water taxis are scheduled for launch in Q2–Q3 2025, featuring smaller vessels with designated stops. Since 2020, over 3 million passengers have used LAGFerry services.
Rail Network Synergy
The Blue, Red, and planned Green Lines work in concert with BRT and ferry systems, forming high-speed corridors with unified ticketing and integrated interchanges.
Ride‑Sharing & Electric Transit Integration
Lagos is piloting partnerships with private ride‑share operators for first‑ and last‑mile connections, and collaborating with Oando on electric bus deployment—aligned with the THEMES+ agenda.
Subsidies & Affordability
A 25% fare subsidy applies across BRT, rail, and ferry services, costing approximately ₦500 million monthly. Over 18 million commuters benefited in 2024.
Enforcement & Capacity Building
LASTMA
In May 2025, LASTMA conducted enforcement sweeps on key corridors, impounding 235 vehicles and arresting 10 offenders. Earlier in 2024, 9,370 vehicles were impounded in six months. In 2024, 20,000 vehicles were apprehended via TMS. By year-end, 4,305 of 4,335 officers completed training in ethics and human rights. LASTMA also introduced monthly awards and disciplined 26 staff through dismissal or demotion.
Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS)
VIS is digitizing vehicle infractions through smart cameras and SMS notifications and integrating enforcement with mobile courts.
LASDRI
The Lagos State Drivers Institute trained 56,000 professional drivers in 2024 and aims for 80,000 by year-end. The curriculum includes simulators, defensive driving, mobile outreach, digital testing, and recertification cards.
Final Thoughts & Key Recommendations
Lagos loses ₦4 trillion annually from gridlock, costing individuals over ₦130,000 each year. Yet a layered strategy is reversing this trend.
What’s Working:
– Metro rail is operational and expanding.
– Roads and junctions are modernized.
– ITS and TMS systems are smarter.
– Public transport, ferries, and ride‑share options are growing.
– LASTMA, VIS, and LASDRI are trained, monitored, equipped.
Challenges:
– Network and power reliability issues.
– Gaps in agency coordination.
– Public resistance to enforcement.
– Judicial processes for violations need reform.
Recommendations:
– Scale ITS and smart junctions.
– Accelerate infrastructure timelines.
– Build interoperable traffic systems.
– Reform legal frameworks for automated enforcement.
– Educate citizens and reward compliance.
Lagos is proving that solving traffic isn’t only about new roads—it’s about smart systems, accountability, and long‑term commitment. The groundwork is laid. The pressure now is to sustain, scale, and deepen this transformation.
