Opeifa hails LASTMA as Nigeria’s boldest public policy success

BY TEMITOPE ADEBAYO

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has hailed the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) as a “masterstroke in public policy,” praising its transformative impact on traffic management in Nigeria.

Opeifa, a former Lagos Commissioner for Transportation and one of the key figures involved in the establishment of LASTMA during his tenure as Special Adviser on Transportation to then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the agency has significantly reshaped the traffic control landscape in Lagos State.

Speaking at the agency’s 25th-anniversary celebration, Opeifa described LASTMA’s creation in 2000 as a bold and timely response to a then-worsening traffic crisis in Lagos.

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“LASTMA was established in response to a local challenge that seemed intractable,” he noted. “But that policy decision turned out to be bold, audacious, just, and right. It has remained effective in enforcing the people’s rights while visibly managing traffic and urban order.”

He emphasised that LASTMA’s operational model has become a reference point for other states and countries, adding that the agency has achieved sustainable, scalable, and replicable results.

“LASTMA’s existence challenged the exclusive role of the Nigeria Police in traffic control and brought about a decentralisation that reflected true federalism—even 25 years ago,” he said. “Today, several sub-national governments are replicating this model across Nigeria and West Africa.”

Opeifa further lauded the agency’s contributions to urban planning, safety, and institutional reforms, stating that it remains one of Nigeria’s most successful policy innovations since independence.

“You represent a masterstroke in public policy—blending law enforcement, civic responsibility, and urban mobility into a framework that continues to stand the test of time, politics, and government,” he said. “Your legacy in Lagos traffic management is impactful and legendary.”

He also paid heartfelt tribute to officers who lost their lives or were injured in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices keep Lagos moving.

In his remarks, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat unveiled a strategic vision for the future of traffic management in the state. Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the agency’s Silver Jubilee celebration, Hamzat acknowledged the critical role LASTMA plays in keeping the city functioning amid rapid urbanisation and increasing vehicular movement.

“Lagos has experienced tremendous urban growth and traffic congestion. Without LASTMA, daily life would be nearly impossible,” Hamzat stated. “They deserve our respect as they carry out their duties.”

The Deputy Governor also paid tribute to the fallen officers, calling them “heroes whose legacies will forever inspire us.”

Reflecting on the agency’s evolution, Hamzat noted that LASTMA had grown from a basic traffic control unit using whistles and hand signals to a modern mobility agency deploying real-time traffic monitoring, automated number plate recognition, and digital communication platforms.

He revealed that 26 Nigerian states and four West African countries have adopted elements of the LASTMA model, a testament to its effectiveness.

“We are proud of LASTMA,” Hamzat concluded. “Their model is not only working—it’s being emulated far and wide.”