LASTMA, Lagos Government Launch 2025 Ember Months Safety Campaign — “Safe Roads, Safe Lives: LASTMA Cares”
In a renewed drive to ensure safety and order on Lagos roads during the busy Ember months, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, hosted the annual Ember Months Stakeholders Forum at its headquarters in Oshodi.
The event, themed “Safe Roads, Safe Lives: LASTMA Cares,” brought together transport union leaders, security agencies, emergency responders, and media representatives to chart a collective strategy for accident prevention and efficient traffic management during the high-risk season.
Lagos Roads Under Pressure
In his welcome address, General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the forum was convened to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders as vehicular movement and commercial activities typically surge during the last quarter of the year.
He noted that Lagos, with over 5.2 million registered vehicles—about 40% of Nigeria’s total— faces intense traffic pressure during the Ember months, often leading to increased road crashes caused by over-speeding, fatigue, and disregard for traffic rules.
“From January to September 2025, LASTMA and partner agencies recorded over 3,200 traffic incidents, with nearly 60% occurring along major corridors such as Ikorodu Road, Apapa–Oshodi Expressway, Third Mainland Bridge, and Lekki–Epe Expressway,” Bakare-Oki disclosed.
Providing comparative data, he stated that:
- 2024 (Jan–Dec) recorded 2,051 accidents, 5,108 vehicle breakdowns, 190 fatalities, and 1,075 injuries.
- 2025 (Jan–Sept) has already seen 1,006 accidents, 2,442 breakdowns, 87 fatalities, and 666 injuries.
“These figures are not just statistics; they represent lives lost and families forever changed. Road safety is not only a strategic necessity but also a moral obligation,” he said.
LASTMA’s Preparedness
The General Manager expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his continuous support to the Agency, noting that LASTMA has significantly improved its operational capacity through:
- Deployment of body cameras and Traffic Management Solutions (TMS);
- Use of drone surveillance for real-time traffic monitoring; and
- Enhanced logistics and communication systems for emergency response.
He added that over 2,500 officers have been deployed to high-risk corridors, while operational vehicles and tow trucks have been refurbished to ensure swift clearance of obstructions.
“Road Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility”
Bakare-Oki emphasized that while government provides infrastructure and enforcement, the responsibility for safer roads lies with all road users.
“Speed thrills but kills. Better late than never. One careless act can cost a lifetime of regret,” he warned, urging motorists and commuters to obey traffic regulations, show patience, and value human life.
He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to reckless driving, saying the Agency’s vision remains:
“Zero Accidents. Zero Fatalities. Zero Excuses.”
Sanwo-Olu’s Adviser Flags Off Ember Month Campaign
Declaring the 2025 Ember Months Campaign open, Hon. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, commended LASTMA’s proactive initiatives and restated the government’s focus on building a humane, technology-driven traffic management system.
“This campaign is not just about enforcement; it’s about empathy, professionalism, and care. Every Lagosian deserves a city where movement is safe, predictable, and efficient,” Giwa said.
He described LASTMA officers as “the silent economic engine keeping Lagos functional,” revealing that through congestion control, each officer saves an average of ₦85 million in man-hour losses annually, amounting to ₦430 billion in economic value that contributes to Lagos’ GDP of about ₦41 trillion.
A Multi-Layered Safety Strategy
Highlighting the Agency’s 2025 Ember Months plan, Giwa said the campaign would focus on:
- Advocacy and Sensitization in schools, markets, and motor parks;
- Empathetic Enforcement — correcting without confrontation;
- E-Enforcement using smart cameras and digital monitoring;
- Night Rapid Response Units for 24-hour emergency coverage; and
- Inter-agency collaboration with the Police and FRSC for synchronized operations.
He also reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to officer welfare, training, and safety, noting that compassion and discipline must define the Agency’s new operational culture.
“Safety Is Not Seasonal”
In his closing remarks, the Special Adviser charged both officers and motorists to adopt a culture of discipline and responsibility on Lagos roads.
“Safety is not seasonal — it is cultural. Compliance is not punishment, it is partnership. When we all do our part, Lagos becomes safer, faster, and more livable,” Giwa stated.
He urged Lagosians to remember the message of the campaign:
“Safe Roads Mean Safe Lives — Because LASTMA Truly Cares.”
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