Lagos orders compulsory use of reflective jackets, visibility tapes for delivery riders

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has directed all courier and delivery service providers to ensure the compulsory use of reflective jackets and visibility tapes by their riders during evening and night operations.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was announced on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education and Innovation, Mr Oluwatobi Idowu, on behalf of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Olawale Musa. The statement was issued through the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola.

According to Musa, the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s renewed commitment to enhancing road safety and minimizing accidents involving dispatch riders.

“All riders operating between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. are mandated to wear reflective jackets. In addition, all motorcycles and bicycles used for deliveries must be equipped with reflective tapes or markers to guarantee visibility on the road,” the statement read.

The Ministry also directed all delivery companies to properly sensitize their riders and ensure strict compliance. Enforcement, Musa warned, will be carried out by agencies including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS.

Demonstrating support for the new safety regulation, Glovo Nigeria, a leading delivery platform, pledged full compliance. In a letter signed by its General Manager, Mr Lamide Akinola, the company commended the government for the initiative and disclosed that it is already procuring 3,000 reflective vests to be distributed free of charge to its riders within the next month.

“We are encouraging other delivery service providers within the state to follow suit,” Akinola added.

Lagos orders compulsory use of reflective jackets, visibility tapes for delivery riders