Lagos State Signs Landmark Deal With Transport Unions To Launch Bus Industry Transition Programme
By Sheriff Salau
In a major step towards overhauling the state’s public transportation system, the Lagos State Government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key transport unions to kickstart the Bus Industry Transition Programme (BITP).
The agreement, signed between the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), marks a significant attempt to bridge the gap between the largely informal transport sector and a more structured, modern system.
The signing ceremony, which brought together major stakeholders in the sector, was described by government officials as a critical milestone in efforts to transform daily commuting across Africa’s largest city.
Representing the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, described the Bus Industry Transition Programme as a “legacy initiative” designed to harmonise the formal and informal segments of the transport industry.
“This programme will transform public commuting in Lagos through a gradual and inclusive implementation process,” Musa said. He called on transport unions to actively collaborate, participate, and support the initiative, stressing that the ultimate goal is to make daily travel “easier, safer, and more efficient” for residents.
LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, explained that the BITP aims to modernise and formalise the state’s informal public transport sector by gradually integrating traditional operators into a regulated and structured system.
She urged union members to fully embrace the programme, describing it as essential for building a more efficient, sustainable, and organised transportation network across Lagos.
The union leaders welcomed the development. Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Sego, Chairman of the NURTW in Lagos State, and Comrade Samson Ajala Adepeju, Chairman of RTEAN, both expressed delight at being part of the initiative. They pledged the full support and cooperation of their unions to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the Bus Industry Transition Programme.
The agreement is expected to set the stage for far-reaching reforms in Lagos’ transport sector, where danfo buses and other informal operators have long dominated the landscape. Officials believe the gradual transition will reduce chaos on the roads, improve service quality, and enhance safety for millions of daily commuters.
