Lagos State Government has defended its enforcement action against unregulated minibuses, also known as Korope, plying along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, following protests from operators who temporarily disrupted traffic around the Aja axis.
Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser on Transport to the Lagos State Governor, who disclosed this in an official rejoinder on Tuesday, described the move as part of the deliberate transformation of the corridor into a structured mass transit and regulated transport corridor under the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI).
“This transformation is deliberate, data-driven and in line with the state’s long-term vision for a safer, more efficient and economically viable transportation ecosystem,” Giwa said.
He said the ban of unregulated Korope operations on that expressway is not sudden, arbitrary or targeted, noting that stakeholder involvement preceded the enforcement, and several consultations were conducted with transport unions, corridor operators and relevant associations.
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“Awareness exercises, public advisories and structured notifications were issued well in advance of enforcement to ensure clarity and compliance.
“It is therefore unfortunate that despite being fully aware of the government's policy direction and regulatory position, some operators chose to disrupt public order by blocking a vital expressway that serves thousands of commuters daily. Such actions undermine public safety, economic productivity and the collective progress of the corridor,” Giwa said.
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, hence allowing unregulated operations that compromise traffic flow, safety standards and structured mass transit reforms will reverse the gains already recorded on the corridor.
Giwa commended the Nigeria Police Force, especially the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, for their prompt intervention in restoring normalcy, adding that the State Government is committed to structured mass transit operations, orderly and regulated transport system, safety of life and property and zero tolerance for acts capable of disrupting public peace.
He urged all operators to engage with the regulatory framework guiding the corridor and adopt structured partnerships within the formal transport system.
Giwa said, “Reforms under the BRI are designed to improve safety, predictability and dignity within the transportation ecosystem. Legitimate engagement is welcome. However, disruption to public infrastructure will not be tolerated.”
What to know about BRI?
BRI is a statewide program to develop a coherent, formal and logical bus transportation system and network. This involves franchising of these bus routes to private operators for operation through performance-based quality bus contracts.
Responsibilities of private operators include procurement of buses, maintenance of buses, provision of bus services and recruitment of personnel, while the government will be responsible for providing the 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 strategic reform of bus operations across the state, which necessitated the implementation to be grouped into zones to ensure that the reform is systematic and gradual.
Zoning was achieved based on various factors such as natural boundaries (local government areas), accessibility and connectivity (complexity of various transport hubs), as well as availability/readiness of infrastructure to commence operations.
Lekki-Epe Bus Improvement Scheme
The Lekki-Epe Bus Improvement Scheme commenced on December 8, 2025, with 229 high and medium capacity buses deployed in the first phase. The first phase of the improvement extends to Ipaja, and will operate on the Ajah-CMS (Marina)/Obalende, Ajah-Oshodi, Ajah-Berger and Ajah-Iyana Ipaja routes.
Giwa said one of the operators will run express service while the rest will offer stage carriage service, noting also that the state government is working closely with all stakeholders to fully formalize transit operations in Lagos, thereby ensuring better passenger convenience, enhanced security and greater security.
He said, “We need to take a lot of dysfunctional buses off the road. The Lekki-Epe Expressway is no different. We are working on other major transit corridors. The vision of the state government is to remove minibuses known as Korope from major highways and reassign them to feeder and community routes to strengthen the First and Last Mile Bus Scheme.”
Buses participating in the new scheme have the standard Lagos State regulated bus colors, with an active QR code and a unique identification code within the PTCS sticker for quick verification of bus information. Drivers will display an official Ministry of Transport badge, and all vehicles will have Touch and Pay (TAP) stickers.
Giwa also said that payment for all services is entirely through Cowrie cards, and warned that any driver or ground staff caught collecting cash and any passenger paying in cash will be arrested and prosecuted.
