By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has convened a strategic road safety stakeholders’ engagement with courier and dispatch riders in Lagos, urging operators to prioritise safety and strict compliance with traffic regulations while carrying out their activities across the state.
The engagement, held at the LASTMA Headquarters in Oshodi under the theme, “Ride Smart, Stay Alive,” brought together courier operators, transport unions, security agencies, road safety advocates and government officials to address the growing rate of accidents involving dispatch riders and commercial motorcyclists in Lagos.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Director of Transport Operations, Engr. Olasukanmi Ojowuro, said the stakeholders’ meeting became necessary due to the increasing cases of traffic infractions, reckless riding and fatal crashes involving dispatch riders on major roads across the state.
According to him, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to protecting lives and property through sustainable transportation policies and continuous stakeholder engagements aimed at improving orderliness and professionalism within the sector.
He urged dispatch riders and courier operators to see traffic regulations as safety measures designed to save lives rather than punitive actions.
“The strategic engagement became expedient in view of the alarming rise in road traffic infractions, reckless riding tendencies and fatal accidents involving courier and dispatch riders across major corridors of the State,” he said.
Earlier, General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described dispatch riders as critical players in Lagos’ commercial and logistics ecosystem, noting that their operations contribute significantly to the movement of goods and services within the state.
Bakare-Oki disclosed that operational reports involving dispatch riders in 2025 showed that over 862 crash victims were rescued through emergency interventions, while more than 16,641 vehicles were impounded for traffic-related offences such as reckless driving, obstruction, overloading and mechanical defects.
He also identified several accident-prone corridors involving dispatch riders, including Eko Bridge, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and railway crossing points around Ikeja.
According to him, the major causes of crashes involving dispatch riders include reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue from long working hours, poor motorcycle maintenance, traffic light violations, use of mobile phones while riding and failure to use safety gear such as crash helmets and reflective jackets.
“Every avoidable crash involving a dispatch rider remains a painful reminder that safety must continue to occupy the highest pedestal of our collective priorities,” Bakare-Oki stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, advised courier companies to institutionalise regular safety training programmes, proper rider documentation and effective monitoring systems to ensure professionalism and accountability among riders.
He also urged dispatch riders to remain security conscious while carrying out their operations across Lagos.
Participants at the forum commended LASTMA for organising what they described as a timely initiative aimed at improving road safety and strengthening operational standards among dispatch riders in the state.
The engagement featured interactive sessions, safety sensitisation lectures and discussions on measures needed to improve compliance with road safety regulations.
Other agencies represented at the event included the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, among others.
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