The Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to participate in the Lagos State Bus Industry Transition Programme (BITP), marking a major step toward modernising public bus transportation in the state.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, is aimed at integrating commercial bus operators, including the iconic yellow danfo buses, into a more structured, efficient and regulated public transport system.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, described the agreement as a new chapter for public transportation in Lagos. He said the partnership demonstrates the commitment of the state government and transport stakeholders to building a safer, more reliable and sustainable transport system.
The Bus Industry Transition Programme, being implemented by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), is designed to improve commuter safety, service quality and operational efficiency while creating an investment-friendly transport sector.
The MoU was signed by the Lagos State Chairmen and Secretaries of both transport unions, alongside officials of the Lagos State Government, including the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo.
Under the agreement, the transition programme will be implemented across Lagos’ eight Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs), with transport unions reorganised into cooperative societies to enable members operate under a franchise system. The initiative also introduces a fully digital fare payment system, while LAMATA will retain regulatory oversight of routes and operations.
Four Quality Bus Corridors have already been identified for the first phase of implementation. They include Iju-Ishaga–Abule Egba, Ketu–Alapere–Akanimodo, Iyana-Iba–Igando–Iyana-Ipaja, and Ojuelegba–Lawanson–Cele.
LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, said the agreement was the outcome of more than 30 months of engagement between the government and transport unions. She expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a model for cities seeking to modernise public transportation while protecting the interests of existing operators.
According to her, the formalisation of the transport sector is intended to strengthen, rather than displace, transport workers through collaboration between government and industry stakeholders.
The agreement is expected to improve safety, efficiency and service delivery for millions of commuters while preserving the livelihoods of thousands of commercial bus operators across Lagos.