By Adesina Wahab

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Lagos State, under the chairmanship of Ridwan Ajayi, has engaged the management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on safety on the road and youth empowerment.

The meeting held at the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos State.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajayi, who expressed appreciation to the General Manager and the management team of LASTMA for the engagement, lauded the agency for its sustained efforts in maintaining traffic order and enhancing road safety across Lagos State, noting that the agency’s impact remains visible and commendable.

Ajayi stated that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the newly inaugurated leadership of NANS JCC Lagos and to establish a structured working relationship with the agency.

He emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration, particularly in addressing the gap in traffic education and awareness among students, who constitute a significant proportion of road users within the state.

The Chairman further positioned NANS as a critical bridge between government institutions and the student community, reiterating the association’s readiness to move beyond advocacy towards implementing impactful, solution-driven initiatives.

He proposed key areas of collaboration, including campus-based traffic safety campaigns, student-focused sensitization programmes, and structured engagement initiatives aimed at promoting responsible road usage among students across tertiary institutions in Lagos State.

As part of the discussions, Ajayi also highlighted the importance of youth empowerment and graduate employment.

He referenced the association’s previous success in facilitating employment opportunities for graduates through partnerships with government agencies and private organisations, and respectfully appealed for similar opportunities—such as internship placements and structured engagements—for qualified members of the student community.

In his response, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, congratulated the newly-elected NANS leadership and acknowledged the vital role of student leaders in supporting the agency’s mandate.

He emphasised the need for collaborative efforts in addressing youth-related challenges and strengthening civic responsibility among young people.

The General Manager further highlighted the agency’s achievements in reducing accident rates across Lagos State, while drawing attention to concerns regarding increased incidents along the Badagry Expressway corridor, particularly within areas hosting tertiary institutions.

He noted that previous collaborations with student leaders have yielded positive outcomes and expressed openness to renewed partnerships in advancing traffic safety awareness within campuses.

Addressing the issue of employment, the General Manager stated that while LASTMA actively engages students through Industrial Training (SIWES) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programmes, formal recruitment into the agency is conducted through the Lagos State Civil Service Commission.

The meeting also featured an interactive session during which members of the NANS delegation commended LASTMA’s operational efficiency and its utilisation of digital platforms for traffic information dissemination.

The agency further highlighted the introduction of a toll-free emergency line and ongoing stakeholder engagements to address emerging traffic-related challenges within the state.

The engagement concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthen collaboration between NANS JCC Lagos and LASTMA, particularly in the areas of student sensitisation, traffic safety advocacy, and structured youth engagement initiatives across Lagos State, Nigeria.