Lagos, the vibrant heart of Africa's urban development, is a city that never stops moving. With a population exceeding 22 million, it is frequently praised as a place that remains active around the clock. Its complex road networks, raised highways, and bustling business areas are constantly alive with a wide variety of vehicles, people, and commercial endeavors. This continuous energy serves as both the foundation of Nigeria's economic growth and the ongoing challenge of traffic congestion, regularly putting the endurance and tolerance of its residents to the test.
Creating harmony in this intricate network of human and vehicle movement is no small feat. It requires not just discipline, strength, and skill, but also creativity, flexibility, and a widespread sense of civic duty. For many years, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has taken on the massive task of managing this challenging traffic environment. Its officers, easily identified by their mustard-yellow uniforms, have emerged as symbols of order in the city's frequently hectic streets.
However, as Lagos continues to grow relentlessly and the number of vehicles exceeds anticipated limits, the Agency's responsibilities become increasingly challenging. Simply relying on enforcement, regardless of how strict, is no longer enough. It is in this setting that the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, introduced a groundbreaking and forward-thinking program: the creation of LASTMA Media Mayors.
Rather than being merely ceremonial or symbolic, these Media Mayors form a newly appointed group of civic representatives tasked with promoting LASTMA's messages, assisting the agency's staff in operational activities, and acting as a direct link between the driving public and the Authority. The initiative was officially launched with great celebration at LASTMA's headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos, and has been recognized as a significant turning point in Nigeria's urban transport story. However, behind the grandeur of the event lies a heavy duty, clearly outlined by Bakare-Oki and solemnly given to these new partners in civic engagement.
Since it was established, LASTMA has been the main guardian of traffic management in Lagos, tasked with ensuring smooth vehicle movement, enforcing rules, and protecting public roads. The organization has therefore become one of the most recognizable components of Lagos State's public service system. Like any evolving institution, its success depends on forward-thinking leadership and the adoption of modern advancements.
With Bakare-Oki at the helm, LASTMA has experienced a remarkable transformation. A forward-thinking technocrat driven by a strong vision, Bakare-Oki has introduced strategies that go beyond conventional traffic control methods. Specifically, the launch of the Agency’s toll-free hotline (080000527862) and the use of drone technology for real-time traffic monitoring, a first-of-its-kind effort in Lagos, have significantly improved the tracking, evaluation, and handling of traffic jams. His leadership has also seen an increase in awareness campaigns, better training for officers, and a more meaningful connection with the local community.
Bakare-Oki's perspective is based on the realization that technology and enforcement, while essential, are not enough to completely tackle the specific challenges of Lagos traffic. Social capital—encompassing communication, influence, and public involvement—is equally important. This awareness led to the creation of the LASTMA Media Mayors.
The origin of media mayors stems from a deep insight: the culture of following traffic rules is more influenced by perception, information sharing, and shared behavioral standards than by laws themselves. In an age where quick communication happens through social media, radio, television, and local networks, the role of trusted voices and opinion leaders is crucial in shaping how citizens behave.
LASTMA realized that to enhance public adherence and expand collaborative involvement, it needed a new type of advocate who could function beyond the constraints of traditional enforcement while carrying the ethical authority of community representatives. These are not regular citizens but respected figures with the power to promote the agency's policies, inform the public, and convey genuine input from the community.
As a result, the media mayors were sworn in not as replacements for uniformed officers, but as additional personnel, serving as a link between the agency and the millions of Lagosians whose daily lives are influenced by the constant movement of city traffic.
During his speech at the induction event, Bakare-Oki detailed, with careful accuracy, the roles that fall to the Media Mayors. He highlighted that these are not optional duties but serious commitments crucial to the achievement of this community initiative.
The top priority is promoting traffic awareness. Using their platforms, such as social media, radio programs, community meetings, or public campaigns, mayors are responsible for boosting LASTMA's message. Their goal is to integrate the values of road safety, self-regulation, and adherence to traffic laws into the daily lives of Lagos residents.
Perhaps the most groundbreaking role of media mayors is their function as a feedback system. Serving as the "eyes and ears" of the agency within communities, they are responsible for collecting public concerns, praise, and grievances, offering LASTMA practical insights from the ground level.
This mutual exchange of information turns the agency into a more flexible and reactive organization, where decision-making is shaped by real-life experiences instead of just hierarchical instructions.
The mayors are anticipated to integrate themselves into the social structure of Lagos, interacting with markets, religious groups, transport unions, and youth associations. In this way, they adapt LASTMA's initiatives, making traffic awareness go beyond posters and slogans to become a common, community-driven belief.
In addition to communication, mayors should embody LASTMA's principles of professionalism, integrity, and dedication. Their behavior—both on the streets and during public events—should demonstrate order and accountability, acting as real-life examples of the civic values that LASTMA aims to promote.
During peak periods, like holidays, significant events, and the 'ember months,' media mayors will enhance LASTMA's promotional activities via roadshows, community meetings, and radio programs.
Their participation seeks to emphasize the importance of safe driving, minimizing incidents and protecting people's lives.
A frequent point made by Bakare-Oki was that media mayors cannot replace uniformed officers. The individuals in yellow continue to be the foundation of traffic control, positioned at intersections and main roads, facing extreme heat and heavy rain to ensure discipline.
Instead, mayors serve as partners in influencing, reducing the tension between enforcement and adherence. In a city where drivers might see traffic officers as punitive rather than proactive, the media mayors humanize LASTMA, presenting it as a cooperative partner.
By means of clarification, negotiation, and storytelling, they encourage voluntary adherence, which represents the most enduring type of societal structure.
One of the most significant aspects of the media mayors' initiative is the establishment of feedback as a key policy tool. In the past, public agencies in Nigeria have faced challenges in creating real two-way communication, with occasional reports and administrative delays frequently hindering public participation.
The media mayors can address this by gathering public opinions, recognizing common challenges, and showcasing creative community-based ideas. This ongoing source of civic knowledge allows LASTMA to adjust policies, improve efficiency, and focus advocacy efforts accurately.
Persistent bottlenecks at intersections can be addressed with specific measures, while misunderstandings about traffic rules can be reduced through tailored awareness initiatives. In this context, mayors have transitioned from being mere communicators to active collaborators in shaping policy results.
Experts suggest that the project might transform the civic awareness of Lagosians in significant ways:
From compliance to collaboration: Shifting traffic management from a conflict between drivers and authorities to a collective community obligation.
A LASTMA guided by data: Systematic feedback mechanisms will make the Agency more reactive, insight-based, and flexible.
Increased public confidence: Through the use of approachable representatives, LASTMA can achieve voluntary adherence based on trust instead of force.
At the induction ceremony, voices praised the initiative. A newly inducted mayor referred to the position as "a civic priesthood, acting as a bridge between legal requirements and the everyday experiences of the people." Transportation experts commended the agency for adopting participatory governance, highlighting that major global cities succeed in traffic management only when citizens are actively involved in policy-making. Regular Lagos residents showed cautious hope, valuing mayors' ability to clarify rules and enhance communication between the public and enforcement officials.
The inclusion of the LASTMA Media Mayors goes beyond administrative progress; it represents a courageous trial in democratic community collaboration. It reflects Bakare-Oki’s belief that the future of Lagos traffic control is not just about technology or regulation, but the combination of law, activism, and public involvement.
By assigning media mayors the dual roles of promotion and reporting, LASTMA has successfully made traffic management more democratic, planting the foundations for a communal civic structure. The program highlights an enduring reality: road safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement but a common societal value.
As these community advocates begin their roles, Lagosians will closely observe not only how they enhance LASTMA's message, but also how they reflect its goal of a safer, more orderly, and cohesive city. If this program succeeds, it could become a blueprint for other Nigerian cities and a worldwide example of urban civic collaboration in managing traffic.
- Taofiq, who serves as the Director of Public Affairs at LASTMA, is based in Lagos.
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