THE Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said on Wednesday that over 200 buses are deployed daily in Lagos.
She revealed this at the LASG-Endowed Professional Chair on Transport Studies Lecture, held at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo campus.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akinajo delivered a lecture on transport organised by the LASU School of Transport and Logistics.
The lecture was themed: ‘Transport Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Development of Lagos State: LAMATA Experience.’
“Lagos is globally recognised as a megacity, with a population exceeding 22 million, surpassing Cairo in 2015 as Africa’s most populous city,” she said.
She noted that Lagos’ population is projected to exceed 30 million by 2030, and become the world’s third-largest megacity by 2050.
“We deploy over 200 buses daily, each running at least 10 routes. We also have no fewer than 450 drivers,” Akinajo stated.
She said the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme has transported more than 560 million passengers since its inception.
“In addition to BRT, our standard routes have moved over 35 million passengers.
“For us, there is still room for improvement. That’s the direction LAMATA is heading,” she said.
She stated that Lagos aims to develop an integrated intermodal transport system encompassing various forms of connectivity.
“Our goal is full system integration, including payment. We want a unified payment method across all transport modes.
“We now have over five million Cowry Cards in circulation, usable on all regulated transport systems in Lagos,” Akinajo said.
She said LAMATA has uplifted public transport by developing modern bus terminals, including the iconic Ikeja Bus Terminal.
“These terminals are situated across Lagos. However, sustainability is now our primary concern.
“When we started the bus reform, diesel was N170. Today, it exceeds N1,000, making it unsustainable.
“Beyond environmental concerns, economic sustainability has become critical,” she said.
As a result, LAMATA began exploring fuel alternatives, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.
“We began piloting CNG buses in 2021, starting with 11 units. In 2023, we introduced two electric buses. These have saved over 400,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions,” she added.
Akinajo said LAMATA is working with stakeholders at both state and federal levels to improve passenger experience.
“We are working on BRT corridor extensions and partnerships to improve connectivity.
“The Abule-Egba to Oshodi route should extend to Sango-Ota. We’re in talks with Ogun.
“We also plan to implement the Oworonshoki–Apapa route, either with segregated lanes or lane markings,” she added.
Earlier, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised Lagos’ transport progress, noting LAMATA’s key role.
Prof. Taiwo Afisi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), represented her at the event.
“This lecture marks another milestone as LASU’s School of Transport bridges academia and policy,” Olatunji-Bello said.
She noted the lecture’s importance to urban development and Lagos State’s prosperity.
“We recognise LAMATA’s transformative role, including the BRT and the Blue and Red Line rail systems,” the VC added.
She said multimodal transport, enhanced capacity and better connectivity are becoming real for Lagos residents.
“At the core is LASU’s School of Transport – West Africa’s first, focused on training and policy research,” she said.
Olatunji-Bello appealed for reactivation of 10 LASU buses along the LASU-Iyana-Ipaja and LASU-Badagry corridors.
“This service, once enjoyed, is no longer operational. A structured arrangement would benefit staff and students.
“During academic sessions, 10 buses should operate, with at least five available off-session,” she proposed.
Olatunji-Bello added that this would reduce transport hardship and deepen LASU’s collaboration with LAMATA.
She reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to collaboration, policy engagement, and people-first transport planning in Lagos and beyond.
Present at the event were Commissioners of Transport from Lagos and Ogun states, along with LASU faculty and students.
