Hamzat clarifies ‘Lagos traffic as lifestyle’ comment amid backlash

Lagos State Government has assured young business leaders that it will prioritise making the state the safest mega city in Africa for the business community.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, gave the assurance during an evening with young business leaders organised by 7-Fifteen Capital, a luxury real estate development firm in Lagos.

Hamzat stated that the ambition of the government is to make Lagos a place where people and businesses can thrive and systems of government work more efficiently.

The deputy governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, said his vision and priorities for Lagos State would focus on creating an environment that supports businesses, attracts investment and improves the quality of life for residents.

Meanwhile, Hamzat has defended his description of traffic congestion in the state as a “lifestyle”, saying the remark was taken out of context and misinterpreted on social media.

Hamzat made the clarification in a video shared on Sunday via the X account of the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Media, Wale Ajetunmobi, following criticism of his remarks at Podfest Naija 2026.

The deputy governor explained that he made the comment while delivering a speech on storytelling and the creative industry, using Lagos traffic to illustrate how commuters consume podcasts and other digital content during their journeys.

Hamzat said he had described Lagos as “the city that tells its own story” and noted that traffic had become part of the daily experience of many residents.

He also outlined his vision for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain and smart-city technologies to position Lagos as a leading technology hub and build a more efficient digital government.

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, Tope Adekoya, said: “Lagos is home to an increasingly influential community of young founders and business leaders who are creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the city’s growth. This was an opportunity to bring that community together with public leadership, create space for direct conversation and hear from the people who are actively shaping Lagos’s next chapter.”

Also speaking, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, Adesuwa Belo-Osagie, said the firm recognised that its responsibility goes beyond financial investment and property development to being a part of a positive force in the Lagos community.