LAMATA Pushes for Mass Transit Reform as Over 75,000 Commercial Buses Operate in Lagos

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has disclosed that over 75,000 commercial minibuses, popularly known as danfos, are currently operating on Lagos roads, highlighting the urgent need for a more efficient and modern mass transit system in the state.

The revelation was made by LAMATA’s Managing Director, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, during the second edition of the Endowed Professional Chair of Transport Studies Lecture at Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday. She emphasized that the over-reliance on low-capacity vehicles such as danfos contributes significantly to traffic congestion and inefficiency in urban mobility across the state.

“Lagos must begin to transition from these smaller, low-capacity vehicles to higher-capacity, regulated transport modes.

A single high-capacity bus can take off at least five danfos from the road,” Akinajo noted, stressing the transformative impact of strategic mass transit investments.

As part of its modernization strategy, LAMATA is set to introduce articulated buses into the existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors. These buses, characterized by their extended capacity and flexible midsection, are designed to carry more passengers and improve service delivery along high-demand routes.

The agency’s broader vision is anchored in the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which aims to create an integrated, multimodal transportation network across the city—connecting road, rail, and waterways into a seamless system.

According to Akinajo, the implementation of the plan will not only improve mobility but also boost economic productivity and enhance the quality of life for Lagosians.

Crucially, LAMATA is also engaging major transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), in its reform process.

Akinajo emphasized that the government is not seeking to displace these key players but rather to involve them constructively in the evolution of the transport sector.

“We are committed to inclusive dialogue with the unions. This transformation will not succeed without the participation of those who have been the backbone of transportation in Lagos for decades,” she said.

The LAMATA boss concluded by reaffirming the agency’s dedication to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable transport options that reflect the growing demands of a megacity like Lagos.