Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has clarified his recent comment describing traffic in Lagos as a “lifestyle,” following criticism from some residents and political supporters.
Hamzat made the clarification while speaking at an event focused on Lagos and its creative industry.
He revisited his earlier remarks, explaining that the long hours many Lagos residents spend in traffic have also created opportunities for people to listen to podcasts, watch videos and engage with other forms of entertainment.
The comment, however, drew criticism from some members of the public who argued that describing traffic as a “lifestyle” appeared to make light of the challenges faced by commuters across the state.
The issue also attracted political attention, particularly from supporters of African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
Responding to the criticism, Hamzat said his comments were made in the context of how Lagos’ traffic and lifestyle have influenced the growth of the state’s creative industry.
He maintained that his remarks had been misunderstood, noting that comments shared on social media are sometimes viewed without the full context in which they were originally made.
The controversy comes as transportation and traffic congestion remain prominent issues in discussions about life in Lagos, with the challenges faced by commuters continuing to feature in the wider political conversation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Lagos Traffic… “What I said in my speech Vs. what people took out of context.”
— Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, replies ADC’s Chinedu Rhodes-Vivor and his whimpering supporters… at an event this evening.@drobafemihamzat pic.twitter.com/CcKYJ9Og2n
— AJE (@Riddwane) September 27, 2026
