The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to event centres, nightclubs, lounges, and social venues across the city, vowing to clamp down on any establishment that obstructs free vehicular movement with impunity. The declaration was made through the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), amid growing concerns over chaotic traffic situations caused by popular venues spilling into public roads.
According to LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the agency is intensifying enforcement to ensure that Lagosians enjoy a free flow of traffic, especially during weekends when multiple high-profile events take place across the city.
“Enough is enough,” Bakare-Oki said during a recent tour of traffic hotspots. “No event centre, lounge, or religious centre has the right to convert public roads to parking lots. Lagos roads are not private property.”
The state government’s frustration comes on the heels of a growing trend where luxury weddings, concerts, night-time shows and religious crusades are hosted in venues with inadequate parking capacity—forcing guests to occupy nearby streets, sometimes blocking entire lanes and impeding emergency services.
What is changing now is enforcement. The state government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, is directing agencies like LASTMA and the Ministry of Transportation to begin sealing off offending venues, revoking operating permits, and imposing steep fines.
“Any venue found guilty will face the full wrath of the law,” Bakare-Oki stressed. “We will not compromise public safety for private enjoyment.”
In reinforcing the state’s urban development vision, Bakare-Oki also highlighted the importance of civic responsibility in the face of Lagos’ rapidly modernising infrastructure.
> “As Lagos continues to integrate technology into its urban infrastructure—transforming transportation, digital governance, and public service delivery—it becomes increasingly imperative for all residents and stakeholders to embrace a culture of discipline, respect for civic order, and responsible use of shared infrastructure,” he remarked.
Legal Backing and Future Actions
The government cited Section 3 of the Lagos State Traffic Law, which prohibits obstruction of public roads for private use. The state intends to collaborate with local councils and the Lagos State Safety Commission to draw up a blacklist of repeat offenders. Those identified risk permanent revocation of their operational licenses.
In response to the crackdown, many Lagosians have taken to social media to express support, describing the move as “long overdue.”
Twitter user @Miss_Ireti posted:
“Every time there’s a wedding on my street in Lekki, ambulances can’t pass. I’m glad the government is finally taking this seriously.”