Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) have launched an initiative to install solar-powered lights on pedestrian bridges across Lagos State, aiming to enhance public safety and curb criminal activity on these frequently used walkways.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The project, aptly titled “Brighter Bridges, Safer Lagos,” was officially unveiled during a press briefing on Thursday in Alausa, Ikeja. The pilot phase features the installation of 55 high-efficiency solar LED lights along the bridge and staircases in the Alausa–CMD corridor.

Following the successful deployment at Alausa, the Fellows revealed plans to expand the initiative to Iyana-Oworo, a major pedestrian interchange linking the mainland to the Third Mainland Bridge.

Speaking on the motivation behind the project, Damilola, one of the Fellows, explained that the effort was driven by growing public concern over the dangers associated with poorly lit bridges. He lamented that inadequate lighting had left pedestrians vulnerable to muggings, harassment, and fatal accidents, especially at night.

He pointed out that many Lagosians avoid using pedestrian bridges after dark, fearing attacks by criminals. As a result, they opt to cross busy expressways directly—placing themselves at greater risk of harm.

“Every day, millions of Lagosians depend on pedestrian bridges to safely navigate our bustling roads,” he said. “Yet, many of these critical structures remain shrouded in darkness at night, increasing the risk of theft, assault, and even gender-based violence. We’ve engaged with residents who admitted they’d rather risk crossing highways than use dark bridges.”

Damilola described the initiative as a blend of solar innovation, safety enhancement, and community engagement, adding that it aligns with key policy frameworks like Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, the Lagos Smart City Blueprint, and UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Looking ahead, he said the project’s scalability will be guided by performance indicators such as lighting uptime, user satisfaction surveys, and incident tracking. These metrics will be monitored in partnership with the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).