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Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has urged Lagosians to “celebrate” the city’s notorious traffic, describing it as part of the lifestyle and identity of Lagos.
Hamzat made the remark on Saturday at Podfest Naija, a gathering of podcasters, filmmakers, musicians, writers and other creatives, where he spoke about how the city’s traffic, crowds and fast-paced lifestyle have influenced its creative industry.
According to him, the hours Lagos residents spend stuck in traffic have inadvertently created an audience for podcasts and other forms of digital content.
“Anyone who has crossed Third Mainland Bridge at 6pm knows that Lagos traffic is not the problem, it is just a lifestyle,” Hamzat said.
He noted that many Lagos residents listen to podcasts while travelling across the city, particularly during long journeys through major traffic corridors.
“In fact, I suspect that many of us in this room, we produce things that are consumed, episode by episode, between Ojota and Obalende,” he said.
“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 the city’s chaotic and unpredictable character had also provided material and inspiration for artists, writers, filmmakers and other members of the creative community.
He said Lagos was increasingly taking control of the way its story is told, rather than relying on outsiders to define the city.
“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.”
The deputy governor also challenged creatives to look beyond audience numbers and develop sustainable business models for their work.
He said having a large audience does not automatically translate into a viable business, stressing the need for creators to find ways to monetise their platforms.
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“A podcast with a million listeners and no business model is just a hobby with good microphone,” Hamzat said.
He added that the Lagos State Government was supporting the creative and innovation ecosystem by funding ideas and research rather than merely celebrating them.
“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.”
Hamzat also linked the growth of creativity to security, arguing that people need to feel safe before they can freely express themselves and develop their ideas.
“Creativity flourishes best when people feel safe,” he said.
“For us in Lagos, safety and liberty guarantees remain a matter of right.”
He further said Lagos had achieved its current security status at a significant cost.
“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 said.
The deputy governor also called on Nigerians to reconnect with their cultural heritage, describing cultural identity as an important part of the country’s development.
“One of the challenges for us as Africans, as black people, is that we have forgotten our culture,” Hamzat said.
“The truth is, we will not prosper — it’s not a curse — if we don’t deal with our culture.”
