By Lukman Olabiyi
In a bid to improve pedestrian safety across Lagos State, Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) have launched an initiative to install solar-powered lights on pedestrian bridges throughout the state.
The project, tagged *Brighter Bridges, Safer Lagos*, is spearheaded by Team B of the academy, led by Damilola Shin-aba.
The initiative aims to address the longstanding safety concerns that discourage many Lagos residents from using pedestrian bridges, particularly after dark.
Speaking during the project’s unveiling, Shin-aba noted that the lack of lighting on many of the city’s pedestrian bridges has left users vulnerable to robbery, theft, harassment, and gender-based violence.
According to him, these threats often force residents to avoid the bridges altogether, opting instead to cross expressways—a risky move that has led to many fatalities.
“Each day, millions of Lagosians rely on pedestrian bridges to navigate our ever-busy roads. However, a growing number of these vital structures are poorly lit or completely dark at night, posing serious safety risks. Reports show that fear of robbery and violence has pushed people to jaywalk across highways, exposing them to even greater dangers,” Shin-aba said.
The installation of the solar-powered lights will begin on Friday, July 4, with the Alausa Secretariat-CMD Road footbridge as the first beneficiary.
The bridge links the Lagos State Secretariat to the Central Business District in Magodo.
The project will then be extended to other key locations, including Iyana-Oworo, Yaba, and Mile 12 pedestrian bridges, as part of the first phase.
Shin-aba expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly reduce crime on pedestrian bridges and encourage more residents to use them safely at night.
He also emphasised the need for collective responsibility, urging Lagosians to protect and maintain the infrastructure against vandalism.
In a remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, commended the initiative of the team for the human-oriented project, which will enhance security and confidence of pedestrians as well as prevent loss of lives from crossing expressways.