The Lagos State Government has partnered with children’s educational brand Lumi to promote road safety awareness among schoolchildren through storytelling, practical demonstrations and interactive learning sessions aimed at fostering responsible road use from an early age.
The initiative, held at St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, brought together pupils, educators and transport officials in a programme designed to teach children safe road practices, public transportation awareness and responsible travel behaviour.
At the centre of the event was Pelumi Nubi, founder of the Lumi initiative, Lagos State Tourism Ambassador and the first woman to complete a solo drive from London to Lagos.
Nubi engaged the pupils with the story of “Lumi,” a fictional purple car used as a storytelling tool to communicate lessons on safety, courage and resilience in an engaging and relatable format for children.
She also recounted her 74-day journey across Europe and Africa, highlighting her route through countries such as France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana and Benin before arriving in Lagos.
According to her, determination, preparation and strict attention to safety were key factors that guided her successful journey.
The pupils were also introduced to Lagos State’s transport infrastructure, including the Red and Blue Rail Lines, ferry services and road transport systems, helping them better understand how urban mobility operates within the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, emphasised the importance of instilling road safety awareness in children from an early age.
“The future of road safety starts with education. When children understand safety awareness and responsibility from a young age, they become better road users and responsible citizens,” Osiyemi said.
He noted that road safety education goes beyond accident prevention, adding that it also helps to build discipline and civic responsibility among young people.
Osiyemi called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, schools and private organisations to ensure that safety messages are delivered in formats that children can easily understand and retain.
“We need more initiatives and partnerships that communicate these important lessons in formats children can relate to, enjoy and remember. Education remains one of the most effective tools for creating lasting behavioural change,” he added.
For Pelumi Nubi, the Lumi project extends beyond transport awareness, focusing on storytelling as a tool for empowerment and identity.
She explained that the initiative was created to amplify African stories while encouraging children to dream beyond perceived limitations.
“Lumi was born from the need for our stories to be told, especially within the continent. We want children to know that they can be small but mighty and that exploration is possible for them,” she said.
“Our goal is to create content that empowers children, builds confidence and shows them that their dreams are achievable regardless of where they come from.”
A key highlight of the programme was an interactive road safety pledge session, where pupils committed to observing essential safety rules such as stopping, looking and listening before crossing roads, wearing seat belts and avoiding unsafe travel behaviour.
Students described the experience as both educational and inspiring.
A Year Six pupil, Nimi Popoola, said the session taught her the importance of perseverance and self-belief.
“I learnt that no matter how difficult something may seem, you should keep believing in yourself and continue working towards your dreams,” she said.
Another pupil, Tavenilo Dania, said the story motivated him to remain focused despite discouragement from others.
“The story showed me that I should never give up and should not listen to people who say I cannot achieve something,” he said.
Deputy Headteacher for Storytelling and Operations at St. Saviour’s School, Mrs Dolapo Akinseye, described the initiative as a powerful educational experience capable of shaping young minds.
“Pelumi’s journey from London to Lagos is truly remarkable. It demonstrates resilience, courage and determination. Experiences like this inspire children to think bigger, challenge themselves and pursue ambitious goals,” she said.
The programme organisers say the initiative is part of broader efforts to integrate creative storytelling into civic education, with the aim of building safer, more responsible future road users across Lagos State.
