LASTMA Concludes Leadership Retreat on Strategic Transport Management, Pledges Enhanced Traffic Oversight in 2025
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has concluded a two-day leadership retreat focused on strengthening the strategic capabilities of its senior officers in transport management.
The retreat, themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Traffic Management in Lagos,” took place at the Colossus Hotel, Ikeja, on Thursday and Friday.
At the closing ceremony, Hon. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, stressed the importance of proactive planning to address the challenges experienced during the 2024 yuletide season.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” Giwa said. “Reflecting on the hurdles we faced last year, particularly during the December festivities, we realized the need for a comprehensive, strategic approach to traffic management. This retreat equips our senior officers with the tools to ensure smoother and more efficient road journeys for Lagosians.”
He further emphasized LASTMA's core responsibility of incident and crisis management, underscoring the importance of meticulous preparation and leadership in achieving this goal.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, highlighted the agency's ongoing commitment to human capital development as a critical element in reshaping public perception and enhancing operational efficiency.
“Globally, the cornerstone of any effective system is human capacity development,” Bakare-Oki noted. “Over the past three to four years, we have prioritized training, retraining, and reorientation to address public concerns and reposition the agency. This retreat is another step toward rebranding LASTMA and fostering professionalism among our officers.”
He added, “Our mission is to safeguard Lagos's economic vitality by ensuring road safety and reducing travel time for all road users. We are resolute in our commitment to creating accident-free roads across the state.”
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Ponnle Ajibola, who was a resource person at the retreat, emphasized the need for agility, collaboration, and decisiveness in managing transport crises.
“LASTMA must adopt a proactive and collaborative approach to crisis management. Leaders must be flexible, engage widely with stakeholders, and build cohesive teams to leverage collective expertise in decision-making,” Ajibola stated.
Reflecting on the training, Senior Traffic Officer Abimbola Kensington expressed her appreciation for the insights gained, particularly in delegation and empowering junior officers.
“This retreat has been an eye-opener,” Kensington said. “I’ve gained insights into effective delegation and empowering junior officers, which will undoubtedly enhance my decision-making.”
The retreat reaffirmed LASTMA's commitment to ensuring seamless mobility, fostering economic growth, and promoting road safety across Lagos State.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA
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