Mujeeb Akindoyin
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Obafemi Hamzat, has described the state’s notorious traffic congestion as more than a transportation challenge, saying it has become part of the lifestyle of Lagos residents.
Hamzat made the statement while speaking at PODFEST Naija on Friday, according to a report by Vanguard published on Saturday.
The deputy governor acknowledged the longstanding reputation of Lagos for traffic congestion, crowded roads and urban chaos, but said the situation had also developed a connection with the city’s entertainment and creative economy.
“Not long ago, the story of Lagos was often told by other people; it was told in headlines about traffic, crowds and chaos. Some of those stories are not entirely wrong,” Hamzat said.
“Anyone who has crossed Third Mainland Bridge at 6 p.m. knows that Lagos traffic is not a problem; it’s just a lifestyle.”
Hamzat further suggested that the hours Lagos residents spend in traffic have created an audience for the state’s booming creative industry.
“I suspect that many of us in this room produce things that are consumed episode by episode between Ojota and Obalende. In a way, traffic has been the patron of your industry,” he said.
He consequently urged members of the creative sector to view the peculiarities of life in Lagos as part of what makes the state distinctive.
“So, you must celebrate traffic, that’s why we’re Lagos,” the deputy governor added.
Hamzat’s remarks come as Lagos continues to grapple with persistent congestion on major roads and bridges, particularly during peak commuting periods.
His emergence as the APC governorship candidate also places the issue of transportation and traffic management among the issues likely to feature prominently in discussions ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
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