I Hate Traffic. You Hate Traffic. We All Hate Traffic.
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you I have some magical solution to Lagos’s traffic problem. I don’t. But I do know this: it’s getting worse, and nobody’s doing anything about it. And that’s not okay.
I remember back in 2015, when I first moved to Lagos from Abuja. I thought I was prepared. I’d heard the stories, seen the memes. But nothing could’ve prepared me for the reality of it. Honestly, it’s like the city is actively trying to break your spirit.
Last Tuesday, I was stuck in traffic from 8:30 AM until 11:30 AM. That’s three hours of my life I’ll never get back. And for what? To get to a meeting that could’ve been an email? Frankly, I’m over it.
Why Is This Still a Thing?
I get it. Lagos is a big city. It’s growing, it’s bustling, it’s… well, it’s a mess. But that doesn’t mean we should just accept that traffic is gonna be this bad forever. I talked to a guy named Marcus—let’s call him Marcus—who works for the state government. He told me, “We’re working on it.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But what does that even mean?
I mean, look at the roads. They’re a joke. Potholes the size of craters, lanes that disappear and reappear like they’re playing hide and seek. And don’t even get me started on the lack of signage. It’s like the city is actively trying to confuse drivers.
And the buses! Oh, the buses. They’re like rogue taxis, swerving in and out of lanes, stopping and going whenever they feel like it. It’s a miracle anyone gets anywhere on time.
A Friend Told Me Something Interesting
So, I was having coffee with a friend named Ada last week. She’s a journalist, like me, but she covers local politics. She told me about this return policy comparison guide she read that talked about how cities with good public transportation have less traffic. I mean, duh, right? But it got me thinking. What if Lagos actually invested in its public transportation system? What if the buses ran on time? What if there were actual bus stops? What if—
But I’m getting off track. The point is, it’s not rocket science. Other cities have figured it out. Why can’t we?
Okay, But What Can We Do?
So, I’m not gonna stand here and pretend I have all the answers. But I do have some ideas. For starters, how about we actually enforce traffic laws? You know, like the ones that say you’re not supposed to drive on the shoulder? Or the ones that say you’re not supposed to block intersections?
And while we’re at it, maybe we could invest in some actual infrastructure. Like, I don’t know, roads that don’t turn into rivers every time it rains? Or traffic lights that actually work? Is that too much to ask?
I’m not saying it’s gonna be easy. I’m not saying it’s gonna happen overnight. But it’s gotta start somewhere. And it’s gotta start now.
Because honestly, I’m tired of spending half my life in traffic. And I know I’m not alone.
So, let’s do something about it. Let’s make some noise. Let’s demand better. Because we deserve better. And Lagos deserves better.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
About the Author: Jane Doe is a senior journalist with over 20 years of experience covering everything from politics to pop culture. She currently lives in Lagos, where she spends way too much time stuck in traffic. You can find her on Twitter ranting about the state of the roads or enjoying a well-deserved drink at her favorite bar on 5th Street.
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