Sanwo-Olu Administration Advances Rail, Road, Water Transport in Lagos

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

The Lagos State Government has highlighted significant achievements recorded in the transportation sector under the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as the state marks the third anniversary of his second term in office.

Speaking at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the administration has continued to reposition Lagos as a modern megacity through strategic investments in rail, road, water transportation, traffic management, and sustainable mobility initiatives.

Osiyemi stated that the government has intensified efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity through several ongoing and completed transport projects across the state.

Among the key achievements highlighted was the expansion of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system, particularly the ongoing Blue Line Phase II project from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. He also noted increased operations on the Red Line Rail and the deployment of additional train coaches aimed at improving passenger movement and reducing waiting time.

According to the Commissioner, more than 3.5 million passengers have used the Blue Rail Line since operations began. He added that Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL) has transported over 60 million passengers since inception, with more than 42,000 commuters currently using the buses daily across various routes.

In the area of traffic management, the state government executed major junction improvement projects along Toyin Street, Opebi Road, Allen Avenue, and other strategic corridors. The government also installed intelligent traffic signal lights in Ikeja, Lekki, Ikoyi, Surulere, Epe, Gbagada, and Victoria Island to enhance traffic flow and road safety.

The Ministry further disclosed that technology-driven transport solutions have been introduced across the state, including the E-Call Up System for trucks along the Lekki-Epe Corridor, deployment of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, digital parking management systems, and the expansion of the Cowry Card unified payment system across rail, buses, and ferry services.

On waterways transportation, Osiyemi revealed that nearly two million passengers now use Lagos waterways monthly. He said new ferry routes, safety awareness campaigns, life jacket distribution programmes, and the OMI-EKO electric ferry initiative are helping to position water transportation as a safe and reliable alternative for residents.

The Commissioner also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to environmental sustainability through the introduction of cleaner transport initiatives such as electric buses, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles, electric ferries, and ongoing plans to adopt bio-methane fuel alternatives.

He explained that the Ministry remains committed to delivering a safe, integrated, affordable, and sustainable transportation system in line with the THEMES+ Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

Osiyemi added that several new transport projects are scheduled for 2026, including the Green and Purple Rail Line projects, the Lekki Water Taxi initiative, AI driver simulators for training, modernization of transport infrastructure, and wider deployment of smart mobility systems across Lagos State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the impact of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s transportation policies is already being felt across the state.

He noted that while many residents associate transportation reforms mainly with the Blue and Red Rail Lines or activities of transport unions, the sector encompasses several interconnected systems and initiatives designed to improve mobility and economic growth across Lagos.