The Ekiti State Government has announced a compulsory biometric registration exercise for all commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders and tricycle operators across the state as part of a new strategy to combat insecurity and improve public safety.
The exercise is expected to create a comprehensive database of transport operators while strengthening law enforcement efforts.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Transportation, Kehinde Ajobiewe, during a stakeholders' meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
According to the commissioner, the registration exercise is designed to strengthen security, improve public safety, and enhance regulation within the state's commercial transportation sector.
Ajobiewe announced that biometric registration will officially commence on July 6, 2026, while all affected operators have until July 18, 2026, to complete the process and obtain the required permits.
He warned that anyone who fails to comply with the directive before the deadline would face sanctions in accordance with the state's transportation regulations.
According to the commissioner, every commercial motorcycle rider and tricycle operator will undergo proper screening before receiving a valid riding permit.
He explained that the exercise is intended to ensure that only properly identified and verified operators are allowed to provide commercial transport services within the state.
The government believes the initiative will significantly reduce criminal activities often associated with unregistered transport operators.
By capturing biometric information and maintaining an updated database, security agencies are expected to identify operators more easily and respond more effectively to security incidents involving commercial transport.
To make the process accessible, the biometric registration will be conducted at all offices of the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue located across the state's 16 local government areas.
This decentralised approach is expected to enable operators to complete the exercise without travelling long distances.
The commissioner urged leaders of commercial motorcycle and tricycle unions to mobilise their members and ensure full compliance before the registration deadline.
He stressed that cooperation from transport unions would be essential to the success of the security initiative.
The stakeholders' meeting was attended by several key officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Bayo Abulola, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps, as well as leaders of commercial motorcycle and tricycle associations operating within the state.
Their participation highlighted the collaborative approach being adopted to implement the policy effectively.
Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators remain an important part of public transportation across Ekiti State, particularly in communities where larger public transport vehicles have limited access.
The government therefore says the registration exercise is not intended to discourage their operations but to ensure that transport services are provided within a safer and better-regulated environment.
Security has remained a growing concern across several parts of Nigeria, prompting many state governments to introduce new measures aimed at improving surveillance, strengthening intelligence gathering, and monitoring sectors considered vulnerable to criminal infiltration.
Transport operators have increasingly become part of these security reforms because motorcycles are sometimes used to facilitate crimes or evade security checkpoints.
Officials believe that building a verified database of commercial transport operators will improve accountability while making it easier for security agencies to distinguish legitimate operators from individuals using motorcycles and tricycles for unlawful activities.
The initiative is also expected to improve enforcement of transportation regulations and enhance confidence among commuters.
As the July 6 commencement date approaches, commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators have been advised to take advantage of the registration window and complete the biometric process before the July 18 deadline.
The Ekiti State Government maintains that the exercise forms part of its broader commitment to safeguarding lives and property while creating a safer transportation system for residents across the state.