Lagos to cut driver's licence renewal to 10 minutes with 2027 automated system

Lagos State plans to launch an automated system in 2027 that will cut driver's licence renewal to 10 minutes and new licence processing to 30 minutes. The system will also cover vehicle documentation and number plate processing, reducing repeated visits to government offices.

Licence renewal target

Rasheed Muri-Okunola, Permanent Secretary of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), disclosed the plan at the 2026 media parley organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation. He said the government was testing the system ahead of its planned launch. Applicants will be able to complete preliminary procedures from home before visiting designated centres for biometric registration and other mandatory processes.

The initiative is designed to reduce delays in driver's licence issuance. Some motorists have reportedly waited months or even years to receive their licences after making payments. Muri-Okunola said the state government had entered into a concession agreement with a consultant to automate the agency's operations.

Beyond driver's licences, the system will cover vehicle documentation and number plate processing. The government expects it to make these services faster and more accessible while addressing longstanding complaints about delays in processing essential vehicle documents.

Blue Line and Red Line expansion

At the same event, Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), announced plans to expand the Lagos Blue Line with three additional stations. The stations at Alakija, Festac and Trade Fair are expected to become operational by the end of February 2027. The expansion will extend the railway beyond its current terminus at Mile 2. The state's long-term plan is to take the line to Okokomaiko.

Akinajo also disclosed that three additional eight-car train sets were expected to join the Lagos Red Line fleet in November 2026. The new trains are expected to increase daily services from nine to 20 initially, with a further rise to 28 services planned before the end of 2027.

Bus corridors and commuter impact

Four major quality bus corridors, including their associated terminals and depots, are expected to be completed by February 2027. The media parley also featured plans for rail expansion, water transportation, parking management and traffic control during the December festive period.

The planned improvements form part of the state's broader efforts to expand public transportation capacity, improve commuter convenience and strengthen connections across Lagos. For businesses, faster vehicle documentation and expanded rail and bus capacity could cut time lost to licence delays and commuting, but the test will be whether the 2027 targets are met.