The Lagos State Government has defended its enforcement action against unregulated minibuses, also known as Korope, from operating along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, following a protest by operators that temporarily disrupted traffic around the Ajah axis.
Sola Giwa, special adviser on transportation to the governor of Lagos state, disclosed this in an official rejoinder on Tuesday, describing the move as part of a deliberate transition of the corridor into a structured mass transit and regulated transport corridor under its Bus Reform Initiative (BRI).
“This transition is deliberate, data-driven, and in alignment with the State’s long-term vision for a safer, more efficient, and economically viable transport ecosystem,” Giwa noted.
He added that the restriction of unregulated Korope operations on that expressway is not sudden, arbitrary, or targeted, noting that stakeholder engagement preceded enforcement, and multiple consultations were held with transport unions, corridor operators, and relevant associations.
Read also: 10 things to know as Lagos reforms bus operations on Lekki-Epe corridor
“Sensitisation exercises, public advisories, and structured notifications were issued well ahead of enforcement to ensure clarity and compliance.
“It is therefore unfortunate that, despite being fully aware of the policy direction and the regulatory position of the government, certain operators chose to disrupt public order by blocking a critical expressway that serves thousands of commuters daily. Such actions undermine public safety, economic productivity, and the collective progress of the corridor,” Giwa stated.
He further said that the Lekki–Epe Expressway is a strategic economic artery linking residential, commercial, industrial, and maritime assets, including the Free Trade Zone, therefore allowing unregulated operations that compromise traffic flow, safety standards, and structured mass transit reforms would reverse the gains already recorded on the corridor.
Giwa, while commending the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, for their swift intervention in restoring normalcy, stated that the state government remains committed to structured mass transit operations, orderly and regulated transport systems, protection of lives and property, and zero tolerance for actions capable of disrupting public peace.
He urged all operators to align with the regulatory framework guiding the corridor and embrace structured participation within the formal transport system.
“Reforms under the BRI are designed to improve safety, predictability, and dignity within the transport ecosystem. Lawful engagement remains welcome. However, disruption of public infrastructure will not be tolerated,” Giwa stated.
What to know about the BRI
The BRI is a statewide program to develop a coherent, formalised, and logical bus transport system and network. It entails the franchising of these bus routes to private operators for operations through a performance-based quality bus contract.
The responsibilities of the private operators include the procurement of buses, maintenance of the buses, provision of bus services, and recruitment of personnel, while the government will be responsible for providing the basic infrastructure required for operations, such as bus depots/garages, terminals, shelters, TSM measures, construction, and rehabilitation of roads.
According to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the initiative is aimed at the strategic reformation of bus operations across the state, which brought about the need to group the implementation into zones to ensure the reform is systematic and gradual.
The zoning was achieved based on a variety of factors such as natural boundaries (local government areas), accessibility and connectivity (complexity of the various transport hubs), as well as infrastructure availability/ readiness for operation commencement.
The Lekki-Epe bus reform scheme
The Lekki-Epe bus reform scheme commenced on December 8, 2025, with 229 high and medium-capacity buses deployed in the first phase. The first phase of the reform extends to Epe, and will operate along the Ajah–CMS (Marina)/Obalende, Ajah–Oshodi, Ajah–Berger, and Ajah–Iyana Ipaja routes.
Giwa stated that one of the operators will run an express service, while the rest would offer stage carriage service, also noting that the state government is working closely with all stakeholders to fully formalise transit operations across Lagos, ensuring improved commuter comfort, enhanced security, and greater safety.
“We need to take a lot of bad buses off the road. The Lekki–Epe Expressway is not isolated. We are working on other major transit corridors. The vision of the State Government is also to remove the small buses known as korope from major highways and reassign them to feeder and community routes to strengthen the First and Last Mile bus scheme,” he said.
Buses participating in the new scheme bear the standard Lagos State blue-and-white regulated bus colours, featuring active QR codes within PTCS stickers for quick verification of bus information, and a unique identification code. Drivers will display an official Ministry of Transportation badge, and all vehicles will be fitted with Touch and Pay (TAP) stickers.
Giwa also stated that payment for all services is strictly through the Cowry card, and warned that any driver or ground staff caught collecting cash and any commuter paying cash will be arrested and prosecuted.
