The Lagos State Government has announced a set of major reforms aimed at transforming maritime logistics, raising safety standards, and improving the welfare of truck operators across the state. The measures were presented on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Lagos with players from the maritime and logistics industry.
The engagement, themed “Charting the Future of Maritime Logistics: Safety, Sustainability and Stakeholder Partnership,” brought together a wide range of participants. These included port operators, freight forwarders, truck owners, financial institutions, security agencies, regulatory bodies, transport unions, and other key players from the Lagos logistics corridor. The government said the reforms are designed to respond to long-standing challenges affecting the movement of goods, port efficiency, and general safety on Lagos roads.
One of the major interventions announced at the event is a new support programme that will allow truck owners to acquire brand-new trucks through structured and affordable financing packages. This scheme is being developed in partnership with banks and development partners to ease repayment and ensure operators can transition away from old and unsafe vehicles.
Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Lagos had entered a new phase of reforms aimed at eliminating unsafe practices, reducing frequent accidents, and positioning the state as a globally competitive maritime hub. Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, emphasised that the maritime and logistics sector remains a major driver of national commerce, industrial growth, and revenue.
The governor noted that one of the most urgent issues is the ageing truck fleet operating across Lagos ports. He explained that the continuous use of old and poorly maintained trucks exposes drivers and road users to avoidable risks, contributes heavily to traffic congestion, and delays cargo movements in busy areas such as Apapa, Tincan, and the Lekki logistics corridor.
According to him, the government’s intervention will save lives and improve economic activities at the same time. He said the introduction of new trucks, combined with stricter maintenance requirements, will help reduce accidents, improve turnaround time, and align Nigeria’s haulage operations with international standards.
Sanwo-Olu also announced that Lagos State will expand its inspection capacity across Apapa, Tincan, Lekki, and other connected transport corridors. This expansion will ensure that every truck meets basic safety requirements including functional braking systems, good tyres, reflectors, proper lighting, axle strength, and general mechanical fitness before operating on major routes.
He explained that the main purpose of enforcement is protection, not punishment. According to him, truckers play a vital role in Nigeria’s supply chain and deserve support that will help them stay healthy and alert while on the road. To this end, he unveiled new welfare initiatives for truck operators. These include free eye screening, visual health services, free prescription glasses, and substance abuse tests supported by counselling and rehabilitation where necessary.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said one of the state’s long-term goals is to shift towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation. He highlighted the government’s plan to introduce 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks through a partnership with financial institutions. According to him, the use of CNG trucks will reduce emissions and help modernise Lagos’ logistics ecosystem.
Osiyemi praised the governor for what he described as visionary leadership and commitment to building a forward-looking transport system that meets global standards.
Earlier in the programme, opening remarks delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, on behalf of the Special Adviser, focused on the importance of safety, sustainability, and collaboration. He stressed that the welfare of truckers remains central to the reforms. Musa noted that the government is working with transport unions and health agencies to address issues such as driver fatigue, untreated illnesses, and other risks that affect frontline logistics workers.
The stakeholders’ engagement also featured a documentary highlighting maritime operations in Lagos, as well as an inspection of newly introduced CNG-powered trucks by representatives of the governor.
In his closing remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics, Hassan Adekoya, thanked industry participants for their contributions. He said the reforms mark the beginning of a new chapter that will reshape the state’s logistics landscape, improve port efficiency, and create safer roads for all users.
