The Lagos State Government said on Monday it would introduce a state-issued driver’s licence within weeks in collaboration with the federal government to improve road safety and service delivery.
Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during the 2026 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s third year of his second term in office.
Osiyemi said the proposed licence would complement the existing federal driver’s licence framework already available to motorists across Nigeria.
He said motorists would be free to choose between the federal driver’s licence and the Lagos-issued version under arrangements with relevant federal authorities.
According to him, the initiative is expected to simplify documentation procedures, reduce waiting times for applicants and strengthen traffic administration and public safety on Lagos roads.“The new licensing framework will improve operational efficiency, support digital monitoring and advance transportation reforms targeted at safer and more organised road usage statewide,” Osiyemi said.
The commissioner said the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service had intensified enforcement of compulsory vehicle inspections and roadworthiness certification through technology-driven monitoring systems.
He said 1,114,080 roadworthiness certificates were issued between May 2025 and April 2026, reflecting improved compliance with vehicle safety regulations.
Osiyemi added that the Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority recorded progress during the same period in support of the state government’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
He said the authority continued to support traffic management, public safety and infrastructure improvements through the production of number plates and road furniture across the state. “We remain focused on delivering quality services and products that will support the vision of making Lagos a safer, smarter and globally competitive city,” he said.
Osiyemi said traffic control signs, cautionary signs, construction indicators, gantry structures, house number plates and street identification signs were produced to improve navigation and reduce road accidents.
The commissioner added that the government strengthened transport safety through partnerships and strategic programmes coordinated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics.
He said the Driver Care Initiative was introduced to improve the welfare, health and operational safety standards of commercial drivers.
According to him, the programme offers free eye examinations, drug screening and recertification training for commercial drivers and has expanded from Lilypond Terminal, Ijora, to additional motor parks, targeting 10,000 drivers.
On waterways transportation, he said the Lagos State Waterways Authority intensified awareness campaigns and enforcement of compulsory life jacket use among passengers and boat operators.
He said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy donated life jackets to the agency in May 2025 at Five Cowries Terminal to support safer waterways transportation.
Osiyemi added that the exercise included practical demonstrations and sensitisation campaigns conducted alongside the National Inland Waterways Authority, Marine Police and other maritime stakeholders.