To improve public safety and reduce crime on Lagos pedestrian bridges, the 2024/2025 Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) have launched a flagship capstone project tagged “Brighter Bridges, Safer Lagos.”
The project, unveiled at a press briefing on Thursday in Alausa, features the installation of solar-powered smart lighting on the Alausa–CMD pedestrian bridge.
Led by Damilola Shin-Aba, the initiative aims to address growing safety concerns linked to unlit bridges across Lagos. According to the team, the lack of lighting has exposed pedestrians to increased risks of robbery, harassment, and even fatal road accidents, as many avoid dark bridges and cross busy highways instead.
“Each day, millions of Lagosians rely on pedestrian bridges, yet too many of these structures are plunged in darkness at night,” Shin-Aba said. “This project is our response—blending solar innovation, safety, and community ownership.”
The pilot phase saw the installation of 55 high-efficiency solar LED lights along the bridge and staircases of the Alausa–CMD corridor. The team also incorporated anti-theft brackets and smart energy management systems to ensure sustainability.
Following the successful deployment at Alausa, the fellows plan to move to Iyana-Oworo, a major pedestrian hub connecting Lagos mainland to the Third Mainland Bridge. The area has been a known security flashpoint, with ongoing enforcement actions against criminals who extort bridge users.
Design and technical assessments have been concluded, with installation and community engagement scheduled to commence in the coming weeks.
The long-term goal, according to the team, is to replicate the model across high-risk pedestrian bridges in Lagos. Monitoring indicators will include lighting uptime, public satisfaction surveys, and incident reporting in partnership with the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) and Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
The initiative aligns with key government frameworks including the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos Smart City Blueprint, and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).