By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to introduce a state-issued driver’s licence as part of efforts to improve road safety, strengthen traffic management and enhance transportation services across the state.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during the 2026 ministerial press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, to commemorate the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

Osiyemi said the initiative, being developed in collaboration with the Federal Government, would be launched within the next few weeks.

According to him, motorists will have the option of obtaining either the existing federal driver’s licence or the new Lagos State-issued licence.

He explained that the move is aimed at reducing delays often associated with the current licensing system and ensuring faster processing and issuance of licences.

“The essence of the initiative is to ensure quicker access to driver’s licences and improve service delivery for residents,” the commissioner said.

Osiyemi noted that the proposed licence forms part of the state government’s broader transportation reform agenda aimed at improving urban mobility and reducing congestion across Lagos.

He said the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line project, developed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, is being expanded under Phase II from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, with ongoing track construction, station development and installation of supporting rail infrastructure.

The commissioner also provided updates on the Red Line rail project, a 37-kilometre corridor linking Marina, Oyingbo and Agbado along the Nigerian Railway Corporation route.

He stated that the first phase of the Red Line is already operational and has been strengthened with the procurement of 24 additional coaches configured into three sets of eight-coach trains, each capable of transporting over 500 passengers.

According to him, feasibility studies are ongoing for the second phase of the project, which will connect Oyingbo to the National Theatre and integrate with the Blue Line corridor.

Speaking further, Osiyemi said the proposed Green Line rail project would stretch from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone through Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah and Sangotedo.

He disclosed that the 68-kilometre rail line, which will have about 17 stations, is expected to move about 35,000 passengers per hour upon completion.

The commissioner added that the Lagos State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Harbour Engineering Company for the execution of the project, while funding approval for the first phase had already been granted by the Federal Executive Council.

Osiyemi further revealed that the state government is intensifying efforts to promote cleaner transportation through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas and electric-powered buses.

He said CNG buses introduced into operation since 2022 have transported more than 600,000 passengers while reducing fuel costs by about 50 per cent.

According to him, the pilot deployment of two electric buses on Bus Rapid Transit corridors recorded over 150,000 passengers within a 90-day proof-of-concept period and helped prevent more than 200,000 kilogrammes of emissions.

The commissioner added that 152 First and Last Mile buses are currently being converted from petrol to CNG under the National Pi-CNG programme, while five electric buses are undergoing evaluation.

On vehicle compliance and safety enforcement, Osiyemi said the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service sustained the enforcement of the “No Vehicle Inspection, No Roadworthiness Certificate” policy through technology-driven monitoring operations.

He disclosed that over 1.1 million roadworthiness certificates were issued across the state, while more than 737,000 traffic violations were captured through the Automated Number Plate Recognition camera system.

The commissioner further stated that, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, a total of 56,876 driver’s licence applications and renewals were processed during the review period, alongside 1,158 international driver’s permits.