MVAA Permanent Secretary Demands Professionalism to Kickstart 2026

The Permanent Secretary of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola, has officially set the tone for the 2026 working year by calling for a "renewed era of discipline." Addressing the management and staff of the agency in a New Year assembly, Muri-Okunola described the year as a vital opportunity to consolidate the gains made in 2026. He emphasized that the agency must evolve to meet the growing demands of the motoring public in Lagos.

Central to the Permanent Secretary’s address was the concept of every staff member acting as a brand ambassador. With a workforce of approximately 400 personnel, he noted that public perception of the entire Lagos State Government is often shaped by the conduct and courtesy of MVAA officers. He stressed that professionalism and accountability are "non-negotiable" traits, regardless of an officer's rank or grade level, especially when handling citizen enquiries and services.

​In line with the THEMES Plus Agenda, the MVAA leadership has signaled a zero-tolerance policy toward absenteeism and delays. Muri-Okunola stated that efficiency, proper documentation, and strict adherence to laid-down procedures will be the benchmarks for performance in the coming months. He urged staff to see themselves as "salespersons" for the agency’s products, ensuring that every interaction with the public reflects a commitment to excellence.

​To support these high expectations, the Permanent Secretary assured the workforce that the state government remains dedicated to staff welfare and capacity building. He encouraged a culture of continuous learning and deliberate knowledge sharing across departments. By embedding learning into daily operations rather than just occasional retreats, he believes the agency can foster a more innovative and agile environment for its employees.

The address also served as a celebration of recent successes, specifically the “Most Improved Revenue Performance Award” received at the 2025 Tax Reform Summit. Muri-Okunola expressed confidence that the upcoming full digitization and automation of the agency's business processes will further boost performance. He concluded by urging staff to participate in service-wide engagements like the Head of Service Games, provided they complement their primary official duties.