A man filming himself in Lagos, Nigeria, captured a moment of stunned disbelief on May 30, 2025, as vehicles sped past him even as he attempted to cross a zebra crossing. The video, which quickly circulated on social media, highlights a pervasive disregard for pedestrian right-of-way in the city, and a broader pattern of drivers ignoring designated crosswalks.
The man, identified as Nigerian in reports, stood at the marked crossing expecting motorists to yield, but was met with a continuous stream of traffic. “This is Zebra crossing. See the way they are all speeding. Mad people. Mad country! Nobody is even braking. Nobody is even looking at the sign. What a jungle, Nigeria,” he exclaimed in the video, shared widely on platforms like Instagram.
Zebra crossings, defined as road markings with alternating white and black stripes intended to indicate a safe place for pedestrians to cross, are routinely ignored by drivers in Lagos. According to a report published by FIJ.ng in October 2024, Bello Fatai, a crossing guard stationed at Olusosun Primary School in Ojota, has witnessed this disregard for six years. Fatai, nicknamed “baba omo weere” (father of the little children) by locals, routinely assists students in navigating the busy Kudirat Abiola Way, facing daily challenges from drivers who fail to respect the pedestrian right of way.
The issue extends beyond a single location. FIJ.ng observed similar behavior on other roads throughout the city, with drivers consistently failing to yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings. Fatai told the publication that many drivers view the crossings as “mere decoration with no safety value.”
The disregard for pedestrian crossings isn’t limited to Nigerian drivers. A separate incident, reported by Legit.ng, involved a foreign national expressing surprise when cars failed to stop for him while he was attempting to use a zebra crossing in Lagos. The report noted that, unlike expectations in many other countries, vehicles often do not yield to pedestrians at these designated crossings in Lagos.
The lack of enforcement regarding traffic laws and pedestrian safety remains a significant concern. While zebra crossings are legally mandated stopping points for vehicles when pedestrians are present, the reality on Lagos roads demonstrates a widespread failure to adhere to these regulations. No official response to the recurring incidents has been issued by Lagos state authorities as of February 26, 2026.
