LAMATA To Deploy AI-Powered Traffic System To Ease Congestion In Lagos

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced plans to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven traffic management system across selected corridors in Lagos, in a bid to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Adeyemi Adeniji, Technical Adviser for Public Transport Roads at LAMATA, disclosed this during a panel session at the IoT West Africa Conference and Data Centre Cloud Expo held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.

According to Adeniji, the initiative involves the deployment of smart traffic infrastructure capable of responding to real-time traffic conditions. The system will integrate cameras, sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies to monitor vehicle movements and prioritise public transportation at intersections.

He explained that the technology would analyse traffic volumes and automatically adjust signal timings to enhance efficiency and ease congestion. The data generated from the system will also support urban planning, forecasting, and investment decisions, while enabling predictive analysis of traffic patterns.

Adeniji further noted that smart enforcement mechanisms are being incorporated into the system to detect speeding and other traffic violations, which will be transmitted to central control centres to strengthen road safety enforcement.

He added that the infrastructure would be powered by solar energy and rolled out in phases, with expansion expected as system integration improves.

Speaking at the session, Hadiza Adukonu, Vice President, Opportunity Maturation and New Ventures at Oando Clean Energy, identified poor coordination among stakeholders as a major challenge limiting the effectiveness of AI-driven mobility solutions in Nigeria.

She emphasised that fragmented implementation across agencies and transport systems continues to hinder the full benefits of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Adukonu called for stronger alignment between infrastructure, policy, and technology to maximise impact.

Also contributing, Najeeb Abdussalam, Managing Director of Trust Synergy Infrastructure Ltd., said AI-powered IoT sensors installed at junctions would enable real-time monitoring and automated traffic control.

He explained that such systems would analyse traffic flow, predict congestion, and guide motorists to alternative routes, thereby reducing delays and improving overall traffic efficiency.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that enhanced coordination and integrated deployment of smart mobility solutions are critical to addressing urban transportation challenges in Lagos.