The Lagos State Government has mandated all courier and delivery service operators in the state to equip their riders with reflective jackets and visibility markers during evening and nighttime operations.
The directive, announced in a statement issued Sunday by the Ministry of Transportation’s Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and reduce accidents involving dispatch riders.
According to the ministry, riders working between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. must wear reflective jackets, while delivery motorcycles and bicycles are required to have reflective tapes or markers installed to ensure better visibility.
“All delivery companies must sensitize their riders and enforce strict compliance to avoid sanctions from relevant enforcement agencies, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS),” the statement noted.
As part of compliance measures, Glovo Nigeria announced it would distribute 3,000 reflective vests free of charge to its couriers within the next month. “The company is already in the process of providing these vests while encouraging other delivery firms in the state to adopt similar measures,” said Lamide Akinola, Glovo’s General Manager, in a letter to the ministry.
The ministry welcomed Glovo’s initiative, describing it as a step toward fostering stronger collaboration with private sector players in building a safer and more responsible logistics system across Lagos.
Nigeria’s logistics industry, boosted by the growth of e-commerce, is estimated to be worth billions of dollars. Yet, dispatch riders who form the backbone of the sector often face dangerous conditions on the road due to inadequate safety equipment.
