Lagos traffic is not a problem, it’s a lifestyle, says Hamzat
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has described the perennial traffic congestion in the state as a lifestyle rather than a problem.
Hamzat spoke on Saturday at Podfest Naija, a gathering of storytellers and creatives, where he reflected on how Lagos’ traffic, crowds and chaotic nature have shaped the identity of the city and inspired creative works.
He said traffic had also become an unlikely patron of the podcast industry, as many Lagos residents listen to podcast episodes while commuting across the city.
“Anyone who has crossed Third Mainland Bridge at 6pm knows that Lagos traffic is not the problem, it is just a lifestyle,” Hamzat said.
“In fact, I suspect that many of us in this room, we produce things that are consumed, episode by episode, between Ojota and Obalende.
“So in a way, traffic has been a patron of your industry. So you must celebrate traffic. That’s why we are Lagos.”
Hamzat said Lagos’ seemingly chaotic disposition had inspired great artists, writers and filmmakers.
He added that while the story of Lagos was previously told largely by outsiders, the city was now telling its own story through its creative community.
“Lagos is now telling its own story and the people telling it in a very serious way are in this room,” he said.
“The podcasters, the filmmakers, the musician, writer, designers, developers and entrepreneurs who have turned Lagos microphone into a global broadcast.”
creatives must build sustainable business models
Hamzat also urged creatives to develop sustainable business models, saying a large audience alone was not enough to make a podcast commercially viable.
He said the state was supporting the creative and innovation ecosystem by funding ideas and research.
“So we’re funding ideas, not just applauding them. Lagos is supporting nothing less than 90 research and development projects,” he said.
“Gone are the years of great ideas and no funding.
“A podcast with a million listeners and no business model is just a hobby with good microphone.”
The deputy governor also said creativity thrives when people feel safe, describing safety and liberty as important to the creative process.
Hamzat, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Lagos in the 2027 general election, said the state was currently the safest in Nigeria, adding that achieving the feat came at a “ridiculous cost”.
“Creativity flourishes best when people feel safe,” he said.
“For us in Lagos, safety and liberty guarantees remain a matter of right.
“Lagos is today the safest state in our country and it comes at ridiculous cost because if we’re not safe then we can’t even tell stories.”
He also urged Nigerians to reconnect with their culture, saying cultural identity was important to the country’s prosperity.
“One of the challenges for us as Africans, as black people, is that we have forgotten our culture,” he said.
“The truth is, we will not prosper, it’s not a curse, if we don’t deal with our culture.”
