By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with transport unions to officially commence the Bus Industry Transition Programme, an initiative designed to modernise and formalise public transportation across the state.
The MoU was signed on Wednesday, 5 August, 2026 at a ceremony involving the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the state government’s efforts to overhaul public transportation in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olawale Musa, described the programme as a legacy initiative designed to align both the formal and informal transport sectors.
He explained that it would transform public commuting in Lagos through a gradual implementation process, while calling on transport unions to collaborate, participate in and support the initiative, noting that its ultimate objective is to make daily commuting easier, safer and more efficient for Lagosians.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, said the programme is aimed at modernising and formalising Lagos’ informal public transport sector by integrating traditional transport operators into a structured and regulated system.
She urged transport union members to embrace the initiative and fully key into it, to foster a more efficient and sustainable transportation system across the state.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of NURTW, Lagos State, Mustapha Adekunle Sego, and the Chairman of RTEAN, Samson Ajala Adepeju, expressed delight at being part of the initiative.
They pledged the full support of their unions and assured the state government of their commitment to ensuring the smooth implementation and success of the Bus Industry Transition Programme.
