The days of chaotic traffic snarls, indiscriminate truck parking, and lawless cargo movement on the Lekki-Epe corridormay finally be numbered.
In a decisive move toward smarter urban logistics, the Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of enforcement of the Electronic Call-Up (E-Call Up) System for cargo trucks operating on the Lekki-Epe axis, starting June 16, 2025.
This digital solution, aimed at streamlining the movement of containerized trucks accessing key facilities like the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Refinery, is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and restore order to one of Lagos’s most critical economic arteries.
What Is the E-Call Up System?
The E-Call Up System is a digital scheduling platform that regulates the entry of trucks into designated corridors based on pre-booked appointments. The technology eliminates the need for trucks to queue on the road, which has long been a major source of traffic buildup and infrastructure damage.
“Only trucks with valid e-call up confirmation will be allowed to access the corridor. Any truck found in violation will face strict penalties, including fines and towing,” said Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation.
The system will apply to tankers, trailers, and other heavy-duty vehicles heading toward major industrial zones within the Lekki-Epe axis, particularly around Ibeju-Lekki, where several billion-dollar projects are now operational.
Why This Matters: A City Under Pressure
In recent years, the Lekki-Epe corridor has become a microcosm of Lagos’s urban planning challenges—rapid industrialization, poor road management, and overstretched infrastructure.
From the Lekki Free Trade Zone to the Dangote Industrial Complex and the Lekki Deep Seaport, the area is experiencing an industrial boom. But the logistics to support this growth have lagged behind, often resulting in:
- Gridlocked roads that trap commuters for hours
- Damage to road surfaces from overloaded trucks
- Accidents involving poorly regulated freight vehicles
- Disruption of local businesses and residential peace
Residents in the area, particularly in Ajah, Eleko, and Awoyaya, have long lamented the endless noise, pollution, and chaos caused by unruly truck operations.
How the System Will Work
According to the Lagos State Government, the process will be automated and tightly monitored. Here’s how it works:
- Truck operators register on the digital E-Call Up portal
- They book time slots for entering or exiting the corridor
- The system assigns trucks to designated holding bays
- Only trucks with confirmed slots will be allowed past entry checkpoints
- Non-compliant trucks will be turned back or impounded
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, will oversee enforcement with support from private security partners.
Industry Reaction: Applause and Anxiety
Reactions from key stakeholders have been mixed—welcoming the policy in theory, but calling for clarity and transparency in its implementation.
“If done right, this could revolutionize freight logistics in Lagos,” said Emmanuel Ibe, a logistics consultant. “But if access to the call-up system is monopolized or manipulated, it will only shift the corruption from the road to a computer screen.”
Some truckers and unions have raised concerns about cost implications, technical glitches, and access to holding bays, especially for small-scale operators without digital literacy or support systems.
In response, the state government has pledged to provide onboarding assistance, training, and feedback mechanismsto ensure fair participation.
Lessons from Apapa
Lagos is not new to the E-Call Up model. A similar system was launched in Apapa in 2021 to manage the traffic nightmare around the Tin Can and Apapa ports. While it showed early promise, critics argue that inconsistent enforcement, sabotage by interest groups, and loopholes in the platform hampered long-term success.
This time, authorities say, lessons have been learned.
“We are working closely with stakeholders from day one,” said the Commissioner. “Lekki is the future of Nigeria’s maritime and industrial economy. We will not repeat past mistakes.”
A Digital Test for Urban Lagos
As Lagos prepares to activate the E-Call Up enforcement on June 16, the stakes are high. If successful, the project could become a blueprint for smart city logistics across Africa. But if mismanaged, it risks becoming another ambitious policy derailed by poor execution and vested interests.
The Lekki-Epe corridor is more than a road—it’s a lifeline for Lagos’s economy. Whether the E-Call Up System becomes a game-changer or another digital dustbin lies in how efficiently, fairly, and transparently it is enforced.
For now, Lagosians can only hope that order, at last, is on the horizon.
