The Lagos State government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been actively working towards transforming Lagos into a smart city. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life for citizens, increase sustainability, and promote economic growth through the use of advanced technologies
While thousands of kilometres broadband cables are being laid across the state to enhance connectivity, in the transportation sector a revolutionary app is almost ready which will put the wellbeing of commuters at the front burner.
Enter the Omo-Eko App, a mobile application designed to provide real-time traffic updates and transit insights to residents and visitors in the state.
The app, the state government says is now 90 per cent complete. It was reviewed during a stakeholders’ meeting recently. The app will play its role in advancing the state toward a smart city status.
A statement by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, via his official X account noted that the introduction of the app will showcase the readiness of the state to monitor traffic insights live.
Also, the app which is part of a larger transportation policy initiative integrates advanced technologies such as Variable Message Signs (VMS) to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Put together, these measures aim to create a safer, more efficient transport network, improving the commuter experience and positioning Lagos as a model for urban transportation management in West Africa.
Osiyemi stated that the Omo-Eko App will serve as a one-stop solution for transportation-related activities, offering features like real-time navigation, traffic updates, and essential information about the Ministry of Transportation and its agencies.
Omo-Eko App aims to simplify life for Lagos residents, visitors and commuters by providing timely updates on traffic, transit schedules of train, bus and ferry metro services, and other developments across the state.
“This cutting-edge application, now 90 percent complete, is designed to provide residents and visitors with a one-stop solution for all transportation-related activities and essential updates about Lagos State”, the statement read.
The statement noted that the app aligns with the government’s vision of leveraging technology to modernize Lagos’s urban transport system and enhance daily life for its citizens. Scheduled for launch shortly, the app represents a step toward achieving efficient and user-centric urban mobility in the state.
Key stakeholders were brought together, including representatives from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), telecom giant MTN, and other partners. This collaboration with the Omo-Eko App, Lagosians can anticipate a smarter, more integrated approach to navigating the city’s bustling avenues.
The government’s vision of leveraging technology to modernize Lagos’ urban transport system also includes the integration of CCTV technology into its transportation infrastructure.
According to the 2024 Lagos State Transport Policy, the government plans to install CCTV cameras at interchanges, bus stops, freight yards, and taxi parks within the next two years. This initiative aims to address mobility challenges and achieve transportation efficiency and safety goals.
“The policy highlights the role of these cameras in complementing the proposed modern Traffic Control Centre (TCC), enabling Automatic Incident Detection (AID) to reduce response times and improve traffic management. Real-time data from the cameras will also support the development of adaptive traffic management plans, ensuring smoother traffic flow and minimizing disruptions”, reveals a media source
To oversee this system, the Lagos government will establish the Lagos Transport Police (LTP) in collaboration with the Nigerian Police. This new unit will safeguard transport facilities, manage the CCTV network, and operate local control centres at major interchanges.
Innovations such as this indicate a thinking administration desirous of making strong changes in the way things were done. This puts Lagos ahead of her peers in this part of the world; but more importantly a significant push which will place her at par with other major cities across the globe.
