LASTMA Marks 25th Anniversary with Essay Competition Finale as Lagos Students Reimagine Traffic Solutions
Lagos, July 9, 2025 — In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has concluded the grand finale of its statewide inter-school essay competition, a key highlight of the ongoing commemorative activities and a prelude to the upcoming 2nd Lagos Traffic Conference.
Organized under the agency’s flagship initiative, the Lagos State Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme (LASTSAP), the essay competition took place at the SUBEB Hall, Maryland, Lagos, and attracted participation from students in both public and private secondary schools across the state.
The competition, aimed at promoting traffic safety awareness and civic engagement among youths, challenged students to propose forward-thinking, sustainable strategies for managing traffic in Lagos—a state known for its dynamic and complex urban mobility environment.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, praised the initiative for cultivating civic responsibility and thought leadership among Lagos youths.
“This competition is not just an academic exercise; it is a powerful platform for empowering the next generation to contribute meaningfully to the future of traffic management in our state,” he said.
Giwa revealed that the final round featured standout presentations from shortlisted students, who displayed remarkable analytical skill, creative insight, and a deep understanding of transportation challenges and solutions. A panel of experts—including scholars, policy analysts, and industry professionals—judged the submissions and selected the top three finalists.
The winners will be publicly recognized by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the 2nd Lagos Traffic Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluwa Musa, applauded the students for their thoughtful essays and encouraged them to remain committed to their education and civic duties.
In his remarks, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, General Manager of LASTMA, emphasized the importance of early civic and traffic education as a means of shaping a future where empathy, order, and compliance define Lagos' transport culture.
“Our students are the architects of tomorrow’s transport systems,” Bakare-Oki said. “Embedding traffic consciousness in their formative years is essential to building a safer and more efficient motoring environment.”
He added that the essay competition aligns with this year’s traffic conference theme: “Rethinking Urban Mobility: A Strategic Blueprint for a Safer Lagos,” and is a core element of LASTMA’s broader advocacy strategy anchored on public enlightenment, education, and inclusive governance.
The competition, he noted, also reflects the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to innovative traffic management, youth engagement, and collaborative urban policy development.
“This engagement with our youth is a major stride toward institutionalizing a culture of safety and responsibility on Lagos roads,” Bakare-Oki concluded.
The event marks another milestone in LASTMA’s 25-year journey of promoting road safety, enforcing traffic regulations, and shaping a new generation of traffic-conscious Lagosians.
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