(LASTMA) has launched a new toll-free short-code hotline, 3367, to improve emergency response, enhance traffic managemestrengthen accountability across Lagos State.

The new platform replaces the agency’s previous long-service code and provides a simpler and more accessible channel for residents to report traffic-related incidents. The service is available at no cost to subscribers on MTN, Glo and Etisalat (T2) networks.

Motorists and other road users can use the hotline to report vehicle breakdowns, road crashes, disabled trucks, stranded tankers, traffic obstructions and other emergencies requiring immediate intervention.

The platform also allows members of the public to report the conduct and professionalism of LASTMA personnel, a move aimed at promoting transparency and accountability within the agency.

To ensure wider accessibility, callers can communicate with hotline operators in English, Yoruba or Pidgin English, helping to eliminate language barriers and encourage greater public participation.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager, LASTMA, described the launch as a major milestone in the agency’s efforts to build a safer, more efficient and technology-driven traffic management system.

He said the hotline reflects LASTMA’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions to tackle transportation challenges while strengthening collaboration with residents.

According to Bakare-Oki, the 3367 hotline provides Lagos residents with a direct, convenient and free channel to report incidents requiring urgent attention, noting that the growing complexity of Lagos as a major African megacity demands a proactive and technology-enabled approach to traffic management.

He assured residents that all reports received through the platform would be handled professionally and confidentially before being forwarded to the appropriate operational units for prompt action

Bakare-Oki urged the public to make effective use of the hotline to support road safety, improve accountability and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable transportation system across the state.

PalmPay has reinforced its commitment to responsible data governance and customer information protection through a specialised two-day data protection workshop for employees and the launch of its internal Privacy Champions Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen awareness, accountability, and responsible data handling across the organisation.

The initiative comes at a time when data protection is increasingly critical following recent reports of recorded 281,500 compromised user accounts in the first quarter of 2026, ranking 34th among the world’s most breached countries, according to a new quarterly data breach analysis by cybersecurity firm, Surfshark.

Facilitated by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and leading Data Protection Compliance Organisation (DPCO) TechHive Advisory, the two-day workshop equipped employees with practical knowledge on privacy governance and data protection obligations, incident awareness, and the role each employee plays in protecting personal data.

The initiative forms part of  PalmPay’s ongoing efforts to   advance compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. It also reflects the company’s continued investment in safeguarding customer information and fostering a culture where privacy remains everyone’s responsibility.

The Privacy Champions Programme establishes a network of employee representatives across business functions who will support awareness, promote best practices and help strengthen the organisation’s privacy culture. By integrating privacy considerations into day-to–day activities the initiative aims to further enhance accountability and reinforces customer trust.

Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director of PalmPay, Chika Nwosu, stated: “At PalmPay, protecting customer information is fundamental to maintaining the trust our customers place in us everyday, and remains central to our operations. Statistically, 10 out of 100 Nigerians have been affected by data breaches.

Hence, we have a greater responsibility to ensure that personal information is collected, processed, stored, and protected responsibly. This specialised training reflects our continued investment in strengthening internal awareness and ensuring our teams remain equipped to uphold the highest standards of data privacy and protection.”

As a digital financial services platform serving millions of users, PalmPay reaffirmed that privacy and data protection remain embedded in its operational culture, with continuous investments in data governance practices.

PalmPay also encourages customers to remain vigilant and adopt safe digital practices, including protecting account credentials, exercising caution when sharing personal information online, and reporting suspicious activities promptly. The company maintains that building a secure digital ecosystem requires a shared commitment from organisations, regulators, and users alike.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Obi Adigwe as the National Coordinator of the newly established National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO).

President Bola Tinubu

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday.

The office, which will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is expected to serve as the national coordination platform for Nigeria’s digital health system.

According to the statement, the NHTDAO will complement the work of existing health institutions by promoting coordination and interoperability across public and private healthcare systems, rather than replacing existing agencies.

It said the office would also drive the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.

The statement said the initiative formed part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen a secure, technology-driven and data-enabled healthcare system capable of improving service delivery nationwide.

Adigwe, who currently serves as the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), has led several initiatives in science, pharmaceutical research, technology transfer and artificial intelligence.

He also coordinated major research funding initiatives, including a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant and an €18 million European Union research grant, while supporting the establishment of Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) training facility through support from Afreximbank.

The statement said the new office would be guided by a steering committee co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr Olaniyi Yusuf.

Other members of the committee include the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako; senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; representatives of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and heads of key health agencies, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The committee will also include representatives of state commissioners for health from the six geopolitical zones, as well as industry and community stakeholders.

The Federal Government expressed optimism that the office would strengthen coordination across the health sector, accelerate digital transformation and improve healthcare delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.