The Lagos State Government has made it compulsory for all courier and delivery riders to wear reflective jackets during night operations to reduce accidents and improve safety on the roads.
The directive was issued by the Ministry of Transportation on Sunday. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, said the order takes effect immediately.
“All riders operating between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. are instructed to wear reflective jackets, while all delivery motorcycles and bicycles must be fitted with reflective tapes or markers to ensure clear visibility on the road,” Musa said in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola.
He stressed that delivery companies must educate their riders and ensure strict compliance, warning that offenders would face sanctions from enforcement agencies such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and the Vehicle Inspection Service.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education and Innovation, Oluwatobi Idowu, explained that the decision was part of government’s wider commitment to road safety. “This measure is to safeguard lives and prevent avoidable accidents involving dispatch riders and other road users,” he said.
One of the major delivery companies, Glovo Nigeria, has already pledged full support for the new rule. In a letter signed by its General Manager, Lamide Akinola, the company said it was ready to provide free safety gear for its riders.
“We are already in the process of providing 3,000 reflective vests free of charge to couriers on our platform within the next month. We commend the Lagos State Government for this initiative aimed at protecting riders and road users. We are encouraging other delivery service providers within the state to follow suit,” Akinola said.
The Ministry of Transportation welcomed Glovo’s gesture, describing it as a positive step toward safer and more responsible delivery services across the state.
