RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has said the state’s traffic congestion has inadvertently contributed to increased consumption of digital content and the growth of the creative industry.
Hamzat made the remarks on Friday, noting that many Lagos residents spend time in traffic listening to podcasts and music or consuming films and other forms of digital content.
He cited busy routes, including Ojota to Obalende and the Third Mainland Bridge, as examples of corridors where commuters often consume creative content during lengthy journeys.
“Anyone who has crossed the Third Mainland Bridge at 6 pm knows that Lagos traffic is not a problem; it’s just a lifestyle,” Hamzat said.
He suggested that traffic had, in an unintended way, created an audience for content producers.
“I suspect that many of us in this room produce things that are consumed episode by episode between Ojota and Obalende. So, in a way, traffic has been the patron of your industry.
“So, you must celebrate traffic; that’s why we’re Lagos,” he said.
Hamzat said Lagos was increasingly telling its own stories through podcasters, filmmakers, musicians, writers, designers, developers and entrepreneurs.
“We are Africans, and we tell stories. Lagos is now telling its own story and the people telling it in a very serious way are in this room,” he said.
The deputy governor also identified safety and freedom as important conditions for the development of the creative sector.
“Creativity flourishes when people feel safe. So, for us in Lagos, safety and the liberty it guarantees remain a matter of rights because we must be safe,” he said.
Hamzat said the state government was supporting innovation through funding and research and development initiatives covering healthcare, education, mobility, film, technology, climate and culture.
“Gone are the days of great ideas and no funding,” he said.
He, however, urged content creators to develop sustainable businesses rather than focus solely on building large audiences.
“A podcast with a million listeners and no business model is just a hobby with a good microphone. Too many creators still cannot turn audience into income,” Hamzat said.
He also encouraged creators to protect their intellectual property and maintain professional standards while telling stories about Lagos.
“Build businesses, not just brands. Own your own intellectual property, register it and protect it. Tell Lagos stories with excellence and with integrity. The world is listening,” he added.
