Lagos State has launched a comprehensive transport perception survey aimed at improving commuter experiences and strengthening data-driven urban mobility planning. The initiative, led by the Lagos Bureau of Statistics in partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Lagos Ferry Services Company (LAGFERRY), seeks to gather first-hand feedback from residents across all modes of public transportation.
According to a statement on the government’s official X handle, the survey will engage commuters using the state’s rail, road, and water transport systems through direct interviews conducted by trained field officers. The Lagos Bureau of Statistics held a one-day training session for coordinators, supervisors, and enumerators to ensure the accuracy, professionalism, and integrity of the data collection process.
The state described the exercise as “a listening exercise, a mirror held up to the system, and a tool for shaping smarter and more inclusive policies.” It said the survey supports Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda, which prioritises traffic management, transportation, technology, and inclusive governance as pillars of Lagos’ long-term growth strategy.
Delivering the keynote address, Olayinka Ojo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), represented by Alao Akinkunmi, Director of the Economic Intelligence Department, commended LAMATA and LAGFERRY for promoting transparency and accountability through citizen engagement. “This initiative shows we are learning, adapting, and evolving to meet the real needs of our citizens,” she said.
Ojo stressed that “field officers are the first and most critical link in the data value chain,” adding that their accuracy and professionalism directly determine how effectively the government can plan, allocate resources, and evaluate programmes. She emphasised the importance of empathy and public trust in data collection, urging enumerators to approach their work with “integrity and respect for the voices of everyday Lagosians.”
“When citizens feel heard, they are more likely to participate, and that participation strengthens our democracy,” Ojo added, expressing confidence that the training will enable high-quality data gathering that could redefine Lagos’ mobility future.
LAMATA representative Ayodeji Adegboye provided practical guidance to enumerators, highlighting operational hours between 6:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. and encouraging a deep understanding of transport routes from Ikorodu-TBS BRT lines to Abule Egba, Oshodi, and the seven-seater FLM buses. He urged officers to remain patient, punctual, and professional, noting their crucial role in clarifying transport options and collecting meaningful commuter insights.
The survey marks Lagos’ latest step toward building a data-informed transportation ecosystem that not only improves service delivery but also empowers citizens to shape the policies that move Africa’s largest city.
