The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has begun transitioning from traditional analogue methods to advanced digital intelligence with the deployment of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones.
The initiative is designed to enhance traffic management, strengthen security surveillance, and reinforce public safety across the Lagos metropolis.
In a statement, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said the drones would enable the agency to be more proactive in traffic monitoring and control across the state.
General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the deployment of drones as a significant milestone in Lagos’ traffic management ecosystem, marking a shift from reactive enforcement to predictive, intelligence-driven operations.
He stated: “This transition transcends the mere acquisition of equipment; it embodies a strategic reformation that positions LASTMA at the forefront of digital governance in traffic management. These drones will provide real-time aerial oversight, enabling swifter interventions, improved safety outcomes, augmented emergency response coordination, strengthened security frameworks, and the cultivation of a more disciplined motoring culture.”
Bakare-Oki assured the public that the deployment would be conducted under strict adherence to privacy safeguards, ethical standards, and regulatory compliance, to reinforce trust in the system’s transparency and integrity.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuous innovation in traffic management, reducing travel times, minimising road traffic accidents, and safeguarding lives and property across Lagos State.
According to Bakare-Oki, “This milestone stands as yet another resounding testament to the THEMES+ Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu, wherein technology and innovation serve as indispensable drivers of a safer, smarter, and more habitable Lagos.”
He added that the technological intervention would complement LASTMA’s rapid response to emergencies, accidents, and other traffic-related contingencies.
