The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has reaffirmed the restriction of mini buses, popularly known as Korope, along the Lekki-Epe Corridor, declaring the measure a permanent feature of its ongoing Bus Reform Initiative.
The Ministry restated its position in a statement issued Monday following a stakeholders’ meeting convened to address concerns raised by operators affected by the policy. The reform limits operations on the busy corridor to medium and high-capacity buses, confining mini buses to inner routes.
The development has sparked protests and public debate among some transport operators, particularly along the Ajah axis.
According to the statement, e-signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola, the initiative is anchored on the Lagos Strategic Transportation Master Plan, which seeks to promote a structured, regulated, and sustainable mass transit system across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the reform is driven by efficiency, safety considerations, and improved traffic management on major corridors.
“Instead of having ten smaller buses operating independently on a route, one large-capacity bus can transport the same number of passengers. This translates to fewer vehicles on the road, reduced traffic congestion, lower environmental pollution, and improved economic productivity,” Giwa explained.
He noted that transport operations along the Lekki-Epe corridor had previously been largely unregulated, making government intervention necessary to ensure accountability and commuter safety.
Giwa further disclosed that transport unions and corridor operators were engaged before enforcement began and were encouraged to formalise their operations through structured registration.
To date, 10 transport groups have successfully registered and are participating in the pilot phase of the initiative, the Ministry said.
Operators yet to comply were urged to complete their registration to ensure inclusivity and alignment with the regulatory framework guiding the corridor.
The government also appealed to residents, traders, and commuters within the Lekki-Epe axis to support the reform, describing it as critical to achieving a safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable transport system.
Earlier, the Lagos State Government had described the restriction of unregulated mini buses along the Lekki-Epe Expressway as a permanent, data-driven policy following protests by drivers.
In a rejoinder signed by Giwa, the government condemned the blockade of the Ajah axis and warned that disruption of traffic along the corridor would not be tolerated.
Authorities maintained that extensive stakeholder consultations preceded enforcement and reiterated that the reform remains central to the state’s broader transport modernisation agenda.
