Move targets safety, service quality, database integrity, and roadworthiness compliance
The Lagos State Government has directed all licensed e-hailing operators to present their drivers’ vehicles for mandatory inspection, as part of efforts to strengthen safety standards, enhance service quality, and ensure regulatory compliance in the sector.
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement with operators at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja. He expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of some vehicles on e-hailing platforms, warning that any found unfit will be barred from operating in the State.
Osiyemi stressed that the government will not condone unsafe practices or poor service delivery that threaten lives, adding that operators must maintain well-functioning fleets and robust data systems to aid in tracking and curbing criminal activities.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, reinforced the directive, warning that the use of unregistered vehicles will no longer be tolerated due to the security risks and regulatory gaps it creates. He noted that the Ministry’s digital monitoring system requires updated operator and driver data, and that all drivers must be certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI).
Musa also advised residents to avoid booking rides offline, as it bypasses in-app safety and accountability features.
Operators, including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv, briefed the government on new safety measures such as improved driver verification, mandatory license checks, panic buttons, and tighter onboarding/offboarding procedures.
The Commissioner urged all stakeholders to prioritise public safety and customer satisfaction over profit, and to clear any outstanding licensing or regulatory obligations.