Lagos, Nigeria – August 4, 2025
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has issued a stern warning to event centres, nightclubs, lounges, and organisers of social gatherings against obstructing public roads during events across the state. General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, delivered the directive during unscheduled inspections and surveillance exercises along major traffic-prone corridors within Lagos metropolis.
Expressing concern over the persistent encroachment of public roads during high-profile events, Bakare-Oki criticised the indiscriminate use of public roadways for parking and crowd spillover, describing it as a major contributor to gridlock, disruption of emergency response routes, and unnecessary hardship for commuters. He reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, to enforcing discipline, orderliness, and equity in the use of public infrastructure, particularly roadways.
“It is important to make it abundantly clear that no individual or organisation, regardless of influence or social standing, is permitted to convert public roads into parking lots or overflow zones for private or commercial events,” Bakare-Oki said. He added that any facility, whether a club, event hall, or social venue, found culpable of blocking access roads, encouraging illegal parking, or encroaching on public road shoulders will face immediate sanctions, including prosecution.
The LASTMA boss directed all zonal commanders and field units to increase patrols, boost intelligence gathering, and deploy personnel to identified hotspots, particularly during weekends, festive periods, and large social functions. He also advised hospitality and entertainment businesses to hire trained traffic personnel and develop management plans in collaboration with LASTMA before hosting major events.
To enhance enforcement, Bakare-Oki encouraged members of the public to report any traffic-related violations through the agency’s toll-free emergency number: 0800-00-LASTMA (080000527862). The move reflects broader concerns over the strain on Lagos’s transport system, where a mix of rapid urban growth, limited road space, and inadequate public transit has left residents vulnerable to daily traffic jams.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining order and ensuring the safety and convenience of all road users in Lagos.
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