LASTMA, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, has taken a new step to improve traffic control by launching drone technology for real-time monitoring across Lagos.
This change from traditional intelligence to digital intelligence will reduce traffic jams and speed up emergency responses.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, called this a “watershed moment” for the city’s traffic system, highlighting the drones’ ability to provide aerial oversight for quicker interventions during traffic jams and accidents.
Drones to enhance traffic management and safety
The drones deployed by LASTMA come equipped with high-definition aerial reconnaissance capabilities, allowing real-time traffic monitoring on key roads.
“These drones will provide real-time aerial oversight, enabling swifter interventions, improved safety outcomes, and stronger emergency response coordination,” Bakare-Oki explained. With these drones, LASTMA can evolve from reactive enforcement to predictive, intelligence-driven management that reduces road accidents and improves traffic.
The technology helps Lagos manage one of Africa’s busiest metros by encouraging controlled driving.
Technology backed by ethics and public trust
LASTMA has assured the public that drone usage will comply with strict privacy safeguards, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks.
Bakare-Oki emphasised transparency: “We want to assure Lagosians that the use of drones will strictly comply with privacy safeguards and legal standards, guaranteeing transparency and integrity in the system.”
This technology complements LASTMA’s toll-free hotline, making emergency responses faster and more effective.
The Lagos government’s THEMES+ Agenda, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, backs this tech-driven approach to create a smarter, safer Lagos through innovation.
This launch signals a stronger, tech-savvy approach to tackling traffic congestion and emergencies in Lagos, marking a new era for urban traffic management in Nigeria’s commercial hub.