Osiyemi Outlines Future of Public Transport with Innovative Policy at Transport Summit

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, outlined the future of public transport with innovative policy.

Osiyemi who was represented by the permanent secretary of the Lagos Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa revealed this at the Y2024 Nigeria Transport Summit, held at Radisson Hotel, GRA Ikeja.

The summit, themed “Intermodal Transport: Prospects and Challenges,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss advancements in the country’s transportation sector.

It provided a platform to explore innovative approaches to tackling transportation issues.

Mr. Musa highlighted Lagos State’s ambitious plans to transform its transport landscape into a multimodal system that integrates road, rail, and water transport. This vision aligns with the state’s goal to improve public transportation and support sustainable economic growth.

In his address, Mr. Musa emphasized that the Lagos State Transport Policy was born out of necessity due to the growing population and the corresponding demand for an efficient transportation system.

“Our policy focuses on reducing travel time, enhancing safety, and making public transportation more affordable and accessible,” he noted.

Key highlights of the policy include the expansion of road infrastructure, the introduction of a Surface Transport Safety Agency, and the adoption of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to manage traffic and improve road safety. Additionally, the state is upgrading its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and expanding the Light Rail Mass Transit System, which now operates the Blue and Red Lines.

The Blue Line connects Marina to Mile 2, while the recently launched Red Line connects Oyingbo to Agbado.

The speech also addressed the potential of Lagos’ waterways to reduce traffic congestion and boost economic activities. The state has launched 15 locally built boats as part of its commitment to inland water transport.

Mr. Musa concluded by stressing the importance of private sector participation in achieving these goals, emphasizing that collaboration between public and private entities is key to building a sustainable transport system. “With continued cooperation, Lagos can become a model for integrated transport systems across Africa,” he said.

The summit concluded with a call for more deliberations on how Nigeria’s transport sector can overcome its challenges and embrace new opportunities for growth.