Lagos is one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities, With a population of over 22 million and an annual growth rate of nearly 6%, the metropolitan area continues to expand rapidly beyond the State into neighboring Ogun State. As a result, commuter trips are increasing in both length and numbers.
This rapid urbanisation, coupled with inadequate or poorly executed development plans, has led to significant transportation challenges in the Lagos metropolis. These include severe traffic congestion, deteriorating road conditions, inadequate public transport infrastructure, high transport costs, limited rail and water transport options, rising road accident rates, and increasing air pollution from vehicle emissions.
Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s economic and industrial hub further exacerbates these challenges. The city is home to a significant portion of the nation’s manufacturing sector, employing over 45% of Nigeria’s skilled workforce. Additionally, Lagos serves as the country’s primary gateway, housing its busiest commercial seaports and airports.
The legacy of Lagos as Nigeria’s former capital has placed immense pressure on its already strained infrastructure. The growing demand for transport and other public services has resulted in declining efficiency and productivity. As far back as 1985, production costs in Lagos rose by 30% due to inefficiencies in public sector infrastructure, including transportation. The relocation of the federal capital to Abuja further compounded these issues, leading to a reduction in revenue streams for Lagos State.
For many residents, particularly the urban poor, the inadequacies of the transportation system are a major burden. Households in Lagos spend an estimated 20% of their budget on transportation—second only to food expenses—highlighting the urgent need for a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable transport system.
Recognizing the need to improve the transport sector in Lagos state, a number of studies were conducted in the ’90s to define appropriate solutions. The Lagos Mass Transit and Transport Systems (LMTS) Management Program study were undertaken in 1992. This work set out to identify actions necessary to address the complex transport situation in Lagos. The study had as one of its major recommendations, the creation of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to coordinate transport policies, programs, and actions of all agencies at different tiers of government.
The detailed framework for the establishment of LAMATA followed LMTS in 1996. The detailed framework considered functions and responsibilities of existing Lagos State Government transport-related ministriesdepartments gencies, and in this context, proposed LAMATA’s role including its core functions, organizational structure, resource requirements and relationship with stakeholders. LAMATA is envisioned to provide a strategic planning platform to address long-neglected transport needs of the metropolis and coordinate activities of the different executing agencies to provide a common and consistent basis for implementation.
LAMATA was established as a semi-autonomous corporate body with perpetual succession and an independent board responsible for formulation, coordination and implementation of urban transport policies and programmes in the Lagos metropolitan area. It was created by a State Act (LAMATA Law) signed into law on January 13, 2002 by the then Governor of the State, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Authority has the overall responsibility for transport planning and coordination in the Lagos metropolitan area with the primary mandate to play a lead role in carrying out transport planning, assist in transport policy formulation, coordination of major operational and investment decisions and implementation.
The law grants LAMATA several powers to facilitate the discharge of its statutory functions, including the power to levy and collect user charges in connection with the provision of its services and to collect any other tariffs, fees and road taxes as may be authorized by the Governor.
The law establishing LAMATA was strengthened further in 2007 to include planning and regulatory functions across the various modes of transport.nder the amended LAMATA Act 2007, the Authority is empowered by law with responsibilities to carry out the following key functions in Lagos metropolitan area;
The organisation’s successful performance of these functions will assist in poverty alleviation by increasing economic efficiency through lower transport costs and prices, and enhancement of employment and social opportunities.
