The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has begun discussions with stakeholders on the proposed 57-kilometer Purple Line. The rail project, expected to ease traffic congestion, will stretch from Redemption Camp in Ogun State to the Volkswagen area along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
With 17 stations planned, the Purple Line will connect two local government areas in Ogun and five in Lagos, along with four local council development areas (LCDAs). It will also integrate with existing rail lines, including the Red Line at Agege, the Blue Line at Volkswagen, and the Yellow Line at Isheri-Osun.
LAMATA’s engagement with local councils is a key step in preparing for construction. Officials visited Ikeja, Agege, and Ojodu LCDA to discuss the project’s impact and gather feedback from community leaders.
Local Officials Pledge Support
The initiative has received backing from local government officials. Dr. Balogun Mojeed, Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, called the Purple Line “a vital step toward making Lagos a true smart city.”
Similarly, Hon. Rasheed Adaranijo, representing Agege Local Government Chairman Chief Kola Egunjobi, pledged support, emphasizing the project’s role in improving mobility. Ojodu LCDA Chairman, Hon. David Odunmbaku, also praised the Lagos State Government for prioritizing transportation infrastructure.
READ MORE: Nigeria’s Fuel Imports Drop to Eight-Year Low as Dangote Refinery Expands
Furthermore, LAMATA confirmed that the engagement is part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), a requirement by the Federal Ministry of Environment. The assessment is being conducted by Global Impact Environmental Consulting Limited.
The LAMATA team includes Lead Consultant Dr. Babatunde Osho, Head of Corporate Communications Kolawole Ojelabi, Architect Dipo Oshobu, and Dipo Quadri.
A Major Step in Lagos’ Rail Expansion
The Purple Line is part of Lagos’ broader rail expansion under the Strategic Transport Master Plan, which aims to develop a metro system with six Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines.
Progress has already been made on two other lines:
- The 13km Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) began passenger operations in September 2023.
- The 27km Red Line, running from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos, opened in 2024 with eight stations, including Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, and Yaba.
Meanwhile, preparations for the 68km Green Line; which will connect the Lekki Free Trade Zone to Marina—are ongoing. In September 2024, the Lagos State Government signed an agreement with the Federal Government’s Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to oversee the Green Line’s financing and operation.
A ₦146.14 billion allocation in the 2025 Federal Budget has been earmarked as counterpart funding for the Green Line, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing Lagos’ transport system.
What This Means for Lagos Commuters
The Purple Line is expected to provide faster, more reliable transit for thousands of daily commuters. With its integration into existing rail networks, passengers will have seamless connections across the city.
LAMATA has assured that more consultations will take place before the final project approval. If completed as planned, the Purple Line will significantly cut travel time, ease congestion, and boost economic activities along its route.
