The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has placed renewed emphasis on human capacity development, ethical conduct and psychological resilience as critical tools for effective traffic management across , as a shift from routine enforcement focused approaches.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Establishment and Training in Oyo State, Professor Soliu Adelabu, commended the leadership of OYRTMA for embracing global best practices, particularly through structural reforms and continuous training of personnel. He described traffic management as a high risk assignment that requires sustained investment in human capital.
“What you are doing is a very risky job, and it goes beyond prayers alone. It requires training, retraining and capacity building,” Adelabu said.
“I strongly believe the Chairman is the right peg in the right hole. With the level of competence I have seen, what others may achieve in three years, he can deliver in one.
Professor Adelabu also applauded the compassionate response of OYRTMA leadership and officers to an injured colleague involved in a serious accident, describing it as a reflection of strong institutional values and humane leadership.
This position was highlighted on Tuesday, at a one-day seminar for Commanders and Ticketing officers of the Authority, organised in collaboration with Boomog Consulting Services Limited, where top government officials and stakeholders highlighted the need to strengthen the mindset and professionalism of traffic officers operating under increasing public pressure.
The Chairman of OYRTMA, Mayor Adesagba Adekoya.Rtd , said the seminar was deliberately designed to reposition officers as agents of positive change rather than mere traffic enforcers. According to him, the Authority must move beyond outdated practices to meet modern traffic challenges.
“We cannot rely on old approaches in a rapidly changing traffic environment. We must be resilient under pressure, ethical in our conduct to command public trust, and effective in delivering tangible results,” Adekoya said.
“This seminar is meant to equip our officers with the right mindset and tools, so that the public will see us not as obstacles on the road, but as partners in safety and orderliness.”
Representing the Head of Service of Oyo State, Olubunmi Oni, the Permanent Secretary of Service and Policy, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha stressed that effective traffic management remains a key driver of public safety and risk management. He noted that the success of any organisation ultimately rests on the resilience and ethical conduct of its workforce.
“The Chairman and management may work tirelessly, but everything still depends on the workforce,” Mustapha said.
“A resilient organisation is not just one that endures challenges, but one that upholds ethical standards that inspire public trust and guarantee effective service delivery.”
He urged officers to remain professional despite operational challenges, noting that limited resources should not excuse unethical behaviour. He also called for better collaboration among government agencies, particularly in addressing traffic infrastructure issues such as faulty traffic lights, which often attract public criticism to OYRTMA officers.
The seminar, themed “Steadfast Service: Duty, Resilience, Ethical and Effective Traffic Management,” featured sessions on leadership, ethical conduct, psychological resilience and operational effectiveness. Participants were encouraged to internalise the lessons and translate them into improved service delivery on the roads of Oyo State.
 has placed renewed emphasis on human capacity development, ethical conduct and psychological resilience as critical tools for effective traffic management across , as a shift from routine enforcement focused approaches.){kind=link}