Lagos State is modernising its interstate travel system by introducing a digital platform for passenger manifests and accrediting interstate parks. This initiative, announced on November 8, 2024, by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, is designed to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency for travellers.
Osiyemi explained that the project’s goal is to move beyond modernisation, focusing on safety and comfort for every road traveller. “This transition from paper-based manifests to a digital platform will ensure real-time access to accurate data, improving response times in case of incidents,” he said.
The first phase involves accrediting interstate parks that meet Lagos’ safety and service standards. Parks receiving official certification will display visible signage, assuring passengers they are boarding from a trusted, state-recognized facility. Parks that fall short of standards, particularly unregulated roadside operations, will be required to make improvements.
The second phase involves creating a centralised, digital manifest system where each passenger’s information will be securely recorded and easily accessible by authorities. Osiyemi noted that while Lagos has 30 regulated parks, over 100 are still unregulated, and efforts are underway to sort them.
A pilot project is currently running at the Ojota park, and stakeholders, including park operators and transport unions, are involved in the initiative. “Passengers will experience greater safety and convenience, and accredited park operators will enhance their reputation and attract more passengers,” Osiyemi added.
Olawale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, highlighted that this effort aims to bring order to interstate travel, ensuring that only authorised vehicles carry passengers. Olamide Afolabi, CEO of Touch and Pay Technology, emphasized that the digital system is designed to improve safety without creating chaos or long queues.
Usman Teslim, the Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, noted that the project is a step towards transitioning operations from analogue to digital, with the ultimate goal of a more efficient transport system in Lagos.
