Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has clarified his controversial description of traffic congestion in the state as a “lifestyle”, saying the remark was taken out of context and was not an endorsement of persistent gridlock.
Hamzat made the clarification after his comments at Podfest Naija 2026 sparked criticism on social media, with some interpreting his remarks as suggesting that traffic had become an acceptable or desirable part of life in Lagos.
The deputy governor addressed the controversy in a video shared on Sunday by Wale Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Media, on X.
What Hamzat Said
Hamzat explained that his original comment was made during a speech on storytelling, the creative industry and the growing influence of podcasts and digital content among Lagos residents.
He said traffic was used as an example of how the daily experience of living in Lagos has shaped residents’ routines and created opportunities for content consumption.
Recalling his remarks, Hamzat said: “Anyone who has crossed Third Mainland Bridge at 6pm going from VI to Mainland knows that Lagos traffic is not just a problem, it is becoming our lifestyle.”
The original speech also linked the time Lagos residents spend commuting with podcast consumption, with Hamzat noting that commuters listen to episodes while travelling across the city.
‘That’s What I Said’
Hamzat said his remarks were not intended to discuss road design, traffic management or the Lagos State Government’s position on congestion.
He questioned how his comments were subsequently connected to criticisms of the government’s handling of traffic.
The deputy governor cited comments from technology entrepreneur Tayo Oviosu and former Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Hamzat read Oviosu’s comment that: “Lagos traffic is caused by poor road design, not economic activities,”while Rhodes-Vivour argued that: “traffic in Lagos should not be tolerated as a lifestyle” and described congestion as “a major drain on productivity.”
Responding to the interpretation of his remarks, Hamzat said: “That’s what I said. Now, how people correlate that to say design is incredible. Really incredible.”
He added: “So it seems to me that when people go on social media, they don’t read what people say. And that’s the problem.”
Hamzat said he decided to clarify the comments to provide the context in which they were originally made.
Campaign Council Defends Hamzat
The Director of the New Media Directorate for the joint PBAT-KOH Lagos State Campaign Council, Olusesan Daini, also defended Hamzat’s remarks.
Daini said acknowledging that traffic has become embedded in the daily routines of Lagos residents should not be interpreted as accepting congestion as an ideal condition.
“Recognising that traffic has become part of daily life is not the same as accepting it as the ideal. It is simply acknowledging the realities of a rapidly growing megacity while working continuously to improve mobility,” Daini said.
He pointed to investments in rail and water transportation, road construction, junction improvements, intelligent traffic management systems and the deployment of LASTMA personnel as part of efforts to improve mobility in Lagos.
Daini also argued that critics had focused on an isolated phrase rather than the wider context of Hamzat’s speech.
“Those seeking to portray the Deputy Governor’s comments as insensitive have relied on an isolated phrase instead of the substance of his remarks. Public discourse is best served when statements are presented in their full context rather than through selective excerpts,” he said.
The controversy followed Hamzat’s appearance at Podfest Naija, where he spoke about Lagos’ creative industry and how the city’s distinctive environment has influenced storytelling, podcasting and other forms of digital content.
