The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been named the Overall Best State Traffic Management Agency of the Year 2025 at the Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit and Awards, organized by the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
The award stands as a resounding recognition of LASTMA’s excellence in traffic regulation, public enlightenment, and emergency response—attributes widely credited to the visionary leadership of its General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
In a statement by the agency’s public affairs director-Mr Adebayo Taofeek, under the auspices the The GM, LASTMA has transformed from a conventional enforcement body into a digitally driven, intelligence-led, and citizen-focused agency—setting new standards for traffic management across Nigeria.
“Mr. Bakare-Oki’s tenure has ushered in sweeping reforms that emphasize efficiency, professionalism, and empathy in service delivery. The Authority’s adoption of advanced technology, such as real-time traffic monitoring systems, body-worn cameras, drones, and digital communication platforms, has revolutionized traffic management across Lagos’ complex road network.
Complementing these innovations are sustained public enlightenment campaigns, including the School Traffic Advocacy Initiative and the Ember Months Safety Awareness Programme, which have helped promote voluntary compliance and reduce preventable crashes”, the statement added.
According to NITT, LASTMA’s emergence followed a rigorous evaluation of state traffic agencies nationwide, based on operational effectiveness, innovation, safety interventions, inter-agency collaboration, and public engagement.
The Lagos agency’s outstanding performance across these parameters positioned it as the national leader in state-level traffic management.
LASTMA’s success, the Institute noted, also reflects its strong synergy with critical partners such as the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), LASEMA, LASAMBUS, SEHMU, Fire & Rescue Service, and the media—alliances that have strengthened Lagos’ capacity for emergency response, traffic decongestion, and urban mobility planning.
Reacting to the honour, Mr. Bakare-Oki commended the dedication and resilience of LASTMA personnel, acknowledging their commitment under challenging conditions as the foundation of the agency’s achievements.
He also expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support and investment in modern traffic management infrastructure, technology, and capacity building.
“This award is not just a recognition of what we have achieved, but a renewed call to sustain and deepen our commitment to excellence, innovation, and public service,” he said.
With continuous investment in training, retraining, and ethical reorientation, LASTMA has built a disciplined, empathetic, and technology-proficient workforce. Its data-driven approach to traffic intelligence and proactive interventions have helped reduce congestion, enhance commuter safety, and improve overall traffic flow in Lagos.
As the agency celebrates this milestone, it remains focused on its mission to deliver safer, smoother, and more orderly traffic across the state—affirming that effective traffic management is central to urban prosperity and public safety.
The 2025 NITT national award, therefore, not only marks a high point in LASTMA’s history but also underscores Lagos State’s position as a trailblazer in modern transport management in Nigeria.
