Lagos Traffic Is More Than a Problem, It’s a Lifestyle – Lagos Deputy Governor Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has described traffic congestion in Lagos as more than a transportation challenge, saying it has become part of the everyday experience and cultural identity of the city.

Hamzat made the statement at PODFEST Naija 2026 while speaking on the power of storytelling and the changing narrative about Lagos.

He said Lagos had for years been portrayed by outsiders through stories centred largely on traffic, crowds and chaos, but noted that the city’s residents had increasingly taken ownership of telling their own stories.

“Not long ago, the story of Lagos was often told by other people. It was told in headlines about traffic, about crowds, about chaos,” Hamzat said.

According to him, while some of those descriptions may have contained elements of truth, Lagosians have developed a unique relationship with the city’s traffic.

“Anyone who has crossed Third Mainland Bridge at 6 p.m. knows that Lagos traffic is not a problem; it is just a lifestyle,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

The Deputy Governor further linked Lagos’ traffic experience to the growth of the creative and podcasting industry, suggesting that commuters have become an important audience for digital content creators.

“In fact, I suspect that many of us in this room produce things that are consumed episode by episode between Ojota and Obalende,” he said.

Hamzat joked that traffic had effectively become a patron of the creative industry because of the time Lagos residents spend commuting.

“So in a way, traffic has been the patron of your industry. So you must celebrate traffic,” he said.

The Deputy Governor said the ability of Lagosians to turn everyday experiences into stories, humour and creative content was part of what made the city distinctive.

“You know, that’s why we are Lagos,” he added.