The Lagos State Government will begin charging motorists for parking on designa
Lagos plans regulated on-street parking system to ease congestion.
Lagos to begin paid on-street parking scheme before end of 2026
The Lagos State Government will begin charging motorists for parking on designated streets before the end of 2026 as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility across the state.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), Adebisi Adelabu, disclosed the development during a stakeholder engagement with the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area, Akeem Dauda, and members of his management team.
According to LASPA, the initiative, known as the On-Street Parking Scheme, will begin with a pilot phase in selected local government areas, including Ikeja.
“The On-Street Parking Scheme will improve parking management, enhance traffic flow and generate employment opportunities.”
Officials explained that the policy aims to tackle indiscriminate roadside parking, which has long contributed to traffic gridlock in commercial areas across Lagos.
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Authorities say chaotic roadside parking worsens congestion across Lagos.
LASPA noted that parking management responsibilities previously handled by local governments were officially transferred to the agency by the Conference of the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
The agency stated that local councils would benefit from the initiative depending on their level of cooperation and support.
Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Akeem Dauda, welcomed the policy and stressed the importance of public sensitisation ahead of implementation.
“Effective enforcement and public awareness will determine the success of the parking reforms.”
The planned rollout is backed by the Lagos State Parking Authority Law 2018, which empowers LASPA to regulate parking activities, designate parking zones and fix applicable charges.
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Lagos continues to battle rising pressure on road infrastructure.
With more than two million vehicles estimated to operate daily on Lagos roads, pressure on transportation infrastructure has intensified significantly in recent years.
Traffic congestion reportedly costs Lagos about N1 trillion annually through lost productivity and fuel wastage, highlighting the urgency for traffic and parking reforms.
Urban planning experts believe regulated parking could improve traffic circulation if properly enforced, though many residents argue that Lagos still lacks sufficient public transport infrastructure capable of reducing dependence on private vehicles.
“Many Lagos residents would reduce driving if efficient transport systems connected all parts of the city.”
Authorities say the pilot phase will help test operational systems, pricing structures and enforcement strategies before expanding the programme statewide.
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(Source: LASPA & Official Statements)
🤔 Question Board
Will Lagos’ paid parking system reduce traffic congestion or place more financial pressure on residents and commuters?
💡 FixandFeed Insight:
Regulated parking systems can improve urban mobility, but long-term success depends on transparency, fair pricing, reliable enforcement, and strong public transportation alternatives.
ted streets before the end of 2026, as part of a broader effort to curb chronic traffic congestion and improve mobility across the city.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), Adebisi Adelabu, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement with the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area, Akeem Dauda, and his management team.
The development was announced in a statement shared on Wednesday by LASPA’s Head of Public Affairs, Dunkwu Divine, who said the initiative, known as the On-Street Parking Scheme, will commence with a pilot phase in selected local government areas, including Ikeja.
Ms Adelabu said the scheme is designed to regulate indiscriminate roadside parking, improve traffic flow and create employment opportunities for residents.
“The On-Street Parking Scheme will improve parking management, enhance traffic flow and generate employment opportunities, particularly for residents within the selected areas,” she stated.
The latest move follows an earlier indication by the state government that it
would roll out a regulated parking system in 2026 as part of measures to restore order on Lagos roads and address worsening congestion.
Ms Adelabu explained that the responsibility for parking management, previously handled by local government authorities, was formally transferred to LASPA by the Conference of the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
She added that councils would benefit from the initiative depending on their level of cooperation, urging them to support its implementation.
She also noted that LASPA remains open to stakeholder input to ensure a smooth rollout.
In his remarks, Mr Dauda welcomed the initiative and pledged the support of the Ikeja Local Government, stressing the need for widespread public sensitisation ahead of its implementation.
The planned rollout is backed by the Lagos State Parking Authority Law, 2018, which empowers LASPA to
regulate parking activities, designate parking zones and fix applicable charges across the state.
Policy documents indicate that regulated on-street parking is intended to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety and better manage the growing demand for limited urban road space.
With more than two million vehicles estimated to be on Lagos roads, and a significant proportion requiring daily parking, pressure on road infrastructure has intensified in recent years.
Chaotic roadside parking has long been identified as a major contributor to congestion, particularly in commercial hubs such as Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere and Apapa, where vehicles frequently encroach on carriageways and obstruct traffic flow.
The economic consequences are substantial. Traffic congestion in Lagos is
estimated to cost the state about N1 trillion annually in lost productivity and fuel wastage, underscoring the urgency of reforms in traffic and parking management.
Urban planning experts say regulated on-street parking, where sections of roads are designated for controlled, often time-bound parking, can significantly reduce disorder and improve traffic circulation if effectively enforced.
However, many say the government has not done enough in building transportation infrastructure network robust enough for a mega city like Lagos to discourage driving.
Many residents would give up driving if there is sufficient infrastructure and like a metro system that conveniently connects all parts of the state.
The agency said the pilot phase will allow the government to test the framework, address operational challenges and refine enforcement strategies before a wider rollout across the state.
For many residents and commuters, however, the success of the initiative will depend on transparency in pricing, effective enforcement and sustained public engagement.
If implemented as planned, officials stated the scheme could mark a significant shift towards a more structured and sustainable traffic management system in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
