If you've ever been stuck in Lagos traffic for hours, you're not alone – and the cost goes far beyond your time and frustration.

According to Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Lagos State is losing a jaw-dropping ₦1 trillion every year due to productivity losses caused by traffic congestion. On average, Lagosians spend about six hours daily commuting – hours that could be put to better use.

Giwa made this revelation during the Second Lagos Traffic Conference, held at Eko Hotel and Suites as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

But it’s not all bad news.

Giwa also noted that ongoing traffic management efforts by LASTMA have already helped the state reclaim around ₦4 billion worth of productivity, thanks to better enforcement and road coordination.

This year’s conference is themed:

“Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations.”

Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu (represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat) reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to solving Lagos’s traffic crisis.

One major step forward was the launch of the Lagos State 20-Year Strategic Traffic Management Policy, unveiled by LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki. The long-term plan aims to:

Upgrade road infrastructure

Improve law enforcement strategies

Embrace smart, tech-driven mobility solutions

The three-day conference brought together key players in transportation – from local experts to international partners – to share ideas and propose lasting solutions for Lagos’s complex traffic issues.