Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC), in conjunction with Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL), has organised a comprehensive training programme for drivers of the Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL), popularly known as BRT Captains.
The training, held recently at the LBSL headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos, was themed: “The Mind Behind the Wheel” and focused on improving drivers’ knowledge of road safety practices, emergency response, and accident-prevention mechanisms.
Declaring the programme open, the Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, noted that global reports and local statistics consistently show that over 75 per cent of road accidents are caused by human error. He emphasised that continuous training, awareness, and attitude change remain the most effective strategies to reduce crashes and save lives.
“Every driver here must consider themselves fortunate to participate in this training,” Mojola said. “The knowledge and skills you are receiving today will not only make you safer behind the wheel but will also protect millions of Lagosians who rely on the BRT system for daily commuting. This is part of the Commission’s commitment to reducing road crashes in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, particularly its transportation and traffic management pillar.”
The DG revealed that over five million have benefited from similar safety training all over the world, with encouraging feedback from both commuters and drivers. He expressed optimism that the BRT-focused programme would further entrench global best practices in the State’s public transport sector.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/CEO of LBSL, Mr. Idowu Oguntona, described the initiative as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to safe mobility in a densely populated city like Lagos. He disclosed that the BRT system has so far moved more than 60 million passengers across different routes in the State, maintaining an impressive safety record.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of a megacity like Lagos,” Oguntona said. “As an agency, we are committed to continuously upgrading our drivers’ capacity, because they carry the responsibility of millions of lives daily. This training gives them the tools to remain vigilant, disciplined, and professional in service delivery.”
In a goodwill message, the representative of the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Poju Fowokan, commended the initiative and urged drivers to take personal responsibility for their actions on the road. He described LBSL as a model of efficient urban transport and charged the agency not to relent in sustaining the high standards expected of the BRT system.
The training sessions, anchored by MTC Consult, featured expert-led modules on causes of accidents, human psychology in driving, first-aid response, stress management, and modern traffic safety strategies.
Participants were also taken through practical case studies and scenario-based exercises to sharpen their reflexes in real-time traffic situations.
At the end of the programme, participants expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for investing in their professional development, pledging to apply the knowledge gained in their daily operations to ensure safer roads for all users.