Kano State officials visit LAMATA to learn Lagos’ BRT, mass transit model
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on Monday hosted a high-level delegation from Kano State, as the northern state takes steps to develop a functional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and mass transit system.
The delegation was led by Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, and the Managing Director of the Kano State Transport Agency (KSTA), Saidu Abdullahi Shuaibu. Their visit aimed to study LAMATA’s operational model, governance structure, and key lessons that could inform Kano’s urban mobility strategy.
LAMATA management, represented by the Head of the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department, Mr. Taiwo Ojo, welcomed the visiting officials. The team delivered detailed presentations across various departments, covering planning frameworks, financing mechanisms, regulatory structures, and operational strategies that have shaped Lagos’ integrated transport system.
The knowledge-sharing session highlighted how Lagos successfully implemented its mass transit system, a project initially championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as State Governor.
To complement the presentations, the Kano delegation participated in a field tour, which included a ride on the Blue Line Rail and visits to the Ikeja Bus Terminal and Ikeja Station of the Red Line. The tour provided firsthand experience of modern rail operations, safety protocols, service delivery standards, and operational efficiencies.
Kano State is making deliberate efforts to modernize its transport sector and expand mobility options for its growing population. Recognizing LAMATA as a leading model for organized urban transport in Nigeria and West Africa, the state government is seeking expert guidance to shape its own mass transit blueprint.
Insights gathered during the visit are expected to form a critical part of Kano’s strategic plan to build an efficient, inclusive, and sustainable transport system.
