By Adesakin Adefemi
The Lagos State Government has launched a three‑month amnesty allowing motorists to replace faded, damaged or illegible vehicle number plates at a reduced cost of ₦20,000 down from ₦30,000 effective January 1 to March 31, 2026.
The initiative, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu, applies to all private and commercial vehicles registered in Lagos and is designed to improve road safety, enhance security surveillance, and encourage compliance with vehicle identification regulations.
Mr. Rasheed Muri‑Okunola, Permanent Secretary of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), said the amnesty is a proactive, citizen‑centric measure to boost voluntary compliance.
“Legible number plates are critical for effective law enforcement, traffic management, and crime prevention. Obscured plates impede security agencies’ ability to monitor and identify vehicles involved in unlawful activities,” he noted.
Motorists can replace plates at the MVAA Pilot Centre at Oshodi One Stop Centre or at any of 140 service stations across Lagos’ 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. “We urge all owners to act now after March 31, the fee reverts to ₦30,000 and enforcement, including fines, will resume,” Muri‑Okunola warned.
The move supports Lagos’ Smart City vision, integrating digital tracking, automated enforcement and real‑time surveillance all reliant on clear, standardized plates. “This is about safety, security and smart governance not just revenue,” he added.
Owners should inspect their plates immediately and book replacement online via the MVAA portal for a fast, paperless, corruption‑free service.
