The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to formally regulate commercial bus operations across the state.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday under the Lagos State Bus Industry Transition Programme, will pave the way for the integration of the popular yellow buses, commonly known as “danfo”, into a structured and modern public transport system.
The government said the initiative is designed to improve commuter safety, enhance service delivery and create a more sustainable transport industry while ensuring that existing operators remain part of the reform process.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, described the agreement as “a new beginning for public transport in Lagos State.”
Musa said the partnership reflects a shared commitment between the government and transport stakeholders to transform public transportation in the state.
“This agreement demonstrates the commitment of the Lagos State Government and transport stakeholders to building a safer, more efficient and sustainable public transport system,” he said.
He added that the reform would create a future where journeys across Lagos become more organised, predictable and secure.
The Lagos State Bus Industry Transition Programme, being implemented by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), is aimed at integrating informal transport operators into a regulated public transport network without excluding those who have supported the sector for decades.
The agreement was signed on behalf of RTEAN by its Lagos State Chairman, Samson Adepeju, and Secretary, Bolaji Kawojue, while the NURTW delegation was led by its state Chairman, Mustapha Adekunle, alongside Secretary Usman Teslim.
Representing the Lagos State Government were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation and the Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo.
Under the new framework, commercial bus operations across eight designated Quality Bus Corridors will gradually move into a franchise-based system with clearly defined operational standards.
The agreement also establishes a cooperative governance structure that will allow transport unions to manage the transition of their members into franchise operators.
As part of the reform, fare collection will transition to a fully digital payment system aimed at improving transparency, reducing revenue losses and making passenger payments easier.
LAMATA will maintain regulatory oversight of bus operations on the designated routes.
The first phase of the programme will cover four Quality Bus Corridors currently under construction, including Iju-Ishaga-Abule Egba, Ketu-Alapere-Akanimodo, Iyana-Iba-Igando-Iyana-Ipaja and Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Cele routes.
Akinajo said the signing marked the conclusion of more than two years of discussions, consultations and negotiations between the government and transport unions.
She explained that the process was designed to ensure transport operators become partners in the reform rather than victims of it.
“This will become a baseline for other cities because it will be a verifiable example of a handshake between government and the unions,” Akinajo said.
She noted that if successfully implemented, Lagos could serve as a model for cities seeking to modernise public transportation while protecting the livelihoods of existing operators.
Akinajo stressed that the reform should not be seen as an attempt to remove transport workers from the industry.
“Formalization should not be construed as strangulation. When we collaborate, the result will be formidable and capable of being replicated across other parts of Nigeria and in cities around the world that are seeking to formalize their public transport operations,” she said.
