In 1971, Flamingo magazine painted a stark picture of Lagos's traffic chaos. The congestion cost the nation over £10 million weekly, with factory workers arriving at 5 a.m. to beat the rush.

One factory reported staff lateness costing £3,000 monthly. Commuters faced hours-long journeys—three to four hours from Palmgrove to Tinubu Bus Station.

The gridlock also emboldened criminals; bank robbers and snatch-and-grab thieves exploited the traffic to escape police. Daily accidents numbered at least ten, claiming three lives each day on Lagos roads.

The magazine emphasised the urgency of change, warning that the country couldn’t sustain this costly delay much longer. The scene was one of frustration and danger—a city struggling against its own chaos, desperate for a solution to its relentless traffic woes.

Decades later, the state still faces traffic congestion. The population now exceeds 20 million and continues to grow.

A question was recently posed to the Deputy Governor of the state, Obafemi Hamzat, about the traffic situation and possible solutions. This was at an event that featured content creators.

Hamzat mentioned that Lagos traffic has become an integral part of urban life and unexpectedly plays a role in entertainment consumption.

He explained that many residents listen to podcasts and other media while commuting, especially along heavily travelled routes like Ojota to Obalende and across the Third Mainland Bridge.

“Anyone who has crossed the Third Mainland Bridge at 6 pm knows that Lagos traffic is not a problem; it’s just a lifestyle,” Hamzat said.

During the event, he told creative professionals that traffic patterns have unexpectedly supported their industry, as locals frequently view their content during commutes.

“So, in a way, traffic has been the patron of your industry. So you must celebrate traffic; that’s why we are Lagos.”

The remarks sparked reactions, including criticism from African Democratic Congress governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who has made traffic and other challenges in Lagos part of his campaign messaging.

Rhodes-Vivour highlighted flooding, housing shortages, and traffic congestion as key challenges facing Lagos inhabitants.

In response to the reactions, Hamzat urged people to view his remarks in a broader context.

“What I said in my speech vs. what people took out of context,” the deputy governor said while responding to the controversy.

Hamzat primarily highlighted Lagos's vibrant creative scene and emphasised how the city's distinct atmosphere has shaped the work of content creators.

He noted that Lagos is progressively crafting its own narrative through the efforts of podcasters, filmmakers, musicians, writers, designers, developers, and entrepreneurs.

ASA