Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commended the European Investment Bank (EIB) for its support of the Omi Eko Project, describing the initiative as a transformative investment that will improve urban mobility, reduce travel time, and enhance the quality of life for Lagos residents.

Sanwo-Olu made the remarks during a courtesy visit by an EIB delegation led by the bank’s Vice President, Ambroise Fayolle, at Lagos House, Marina, over the weekend.

The governor said the Omi Eko Project aligns with his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly the Transportation and Traffic Management pillar, which seeks to develop an integrated transportation network connecting road, rail, and water transport systems.

According to him, Lagos possesses vast water resources that can be harnessed to provide alternative transportation options and ease pressure on existing road infrastructure.

“The Omi Eko Project forms a critical part of Lagos State’s strategy to develop an integrated, intermodal transportation system that effectively combines road, rail, and water transport,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He explained that the project, whose name translates to “Water of Lagos,” will deliver modern and climate-resilient water transportation infrastructure, including upgraded ferry terminals, safer navigation channels, and improved commuter services.

The governor noted that the initiative is expected to significantly reduce commuting time for residents, with journeys that currently take up to two hours projected to be shortened to between 40 and 45 minutes.

Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to the EIB, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other development partners for supporting Lagos State’s efforts to build a sustainable and efficient transportation system.

He added that expanding water transportation would provide commuters with more travel options while reducing congestion on roads and rail networks.

The governor also welcomed the EIB’s growing investment in Nigeria’s small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), describing the sector as a critical driver of economic growth and job creation.

According to him, Lagos remains committed to converting investment commitments secured during the recently concluded Lagos Investment Summit into tangible economic outcomes that benefit residents and businesses.

Earlier, EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle disclosed that Nigeria emerged as the bank’s largest country of operations in Africa in 2025, with total lending reaching €550 million.

He said the development reflected the strengthening partnership between Nigeria, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank.

Fayolle revealed that the EIB recently signed a €200 million financing facility with the Development Bank of Nigeria to support digital and green investments by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

He also announced a separate financing agreement with Wema Bank aimed at improving access to finance for underserved businesses while encouraging environmentally sustainable practices.

Speaking on the Omi Eko Project, Fayolle described it as one of the European Union’s flagship infrastructure initiatives in Lagos.

He explained that the project is being jointly financed by the EIB, the European Union, and the French Development Agency, and will support the construction of modern ferry terminals and the deployment of electric boats across Lagos waterways.

“The initiative is designed to reduce congestion, improve environmental sustainability, and provide Lagos residents with a more efficient means of commuting,” Fayolle said.

The EIB delegation is expected to inspect several projects in Lagos, including investments supported through partnerships with the Bank of Industry, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration and explore new opportunities for sustainable development in Nigeria.

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The Lagos State Government and Agege Local Government have begun fresh discussions on a collaborative urban renewal initiative aimed at improving infrastructure, tackling environmental challenges, and driving community development within the council area.

The proposed partnership was discussed during a meeting between the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Ganiyu Obasa, and the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Urban Development, Adetunji Adeyemi.

During the engagement, both parties examined ways to strengthen cooperation on urban regeneration projects, drainage systems, and environmental improvement efforts across Agege.

Obasa highlighted several ongoing grassroots development projects in the area, including the construction of community market villages and infrastructure upgrades around Kadiri Street, Bode Tobun Street, Adesokan Street, Okunola Street, and Disu Akogun Street.

According to the council chairman, the affected communities had already been identified under the state’s urban renewal framework and require structured intervention to improve living standards and stimulate economic activities.

“Our objective is to ensure that residents benefit from organised development capable of improving their environment and boosting local businesses,” Obasa stated.

Discussions also centred on the role of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) in supporting complementary infrastructure such as drainage networks, flood control systems, and access roads to ensure proper integration of the projects into the state’s urban planning structure.

Officials noted that the collaboration would not be limited to physical construction alone but would also address environmental sustainability, effective drainage management, and flood mitigation measures in vulnerable communities.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to carry out a joint technical inspection of the project locations. The inspection team is expected to include LASURA officials, urban development experts, and drainage engineers who will assess ongoing work and identify additional intervention needs.

Although some of the proposed projects were not captured in the current budget cycle, the Office of Urban Development assured the council that efforts would be made to explore institutional support and possible implementation options.

Adeyemi commended the Agege Local Government for taking proactive steps toward addressing infrastructure deficits and environmental concerns within the area.

“We are committed to providing the necessary technical support and guidance to ensure that these projects align with the broader urban transformation agenda of Lagos State,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between state and local authorities in achieving sustainable urban renewal and coordinated physical development.

The meeting also addressed concerns over flooding, unregulated construction activities, and structural vulnerabilities in some parts of Agege. Both sides agreed on the need for stricter compliance measures and coordinated monitoring to prevent environmental degradation and uncontrolled development.

Officials present at the meeting included the General Manager of LASURA, Oladimeji Animashaun; the Council Engineer for Agege Local Government, Olajide Abejide; and senior officials from the Office of Urban Development and LASURA.

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Lagos State has continued its long-standing engagement with the capital market with the launch of a new ₦200 billion bond, aimed at financing key infrastructure projects across the state.

Since issuing its first ₦15 billion floating-rate bond in 2002—the first by any subnational government in Nigeria—Lagos has consistently leveraged the market to support major development initiatives.

Previous issuances include an ₦80 billion bond in 2012, the ₦87.5 billion Series II bond in 2017, and the ₦137.3 billion bond in 2020, all part of multi-series programmes designed to enhance infrastructure investment and bridge funding gaps.

Notably, all prior bonds were either fully repaid or remain performing, reinforcing Lagos’ credibility among domestic investors and institutions.

The latest bond is expected to fund ongoing projects in transportation networks, housing schemes, renewable energy, and social infrastructure.

Analysts note that the state’s competitive pricing and strong fiscal base are likely to attract significant investor interest, highlighting both Lagos’ continued growth ambitions and the increasing sophistication of Nigeria’s subnational debt market.

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At 10 p.m. on Wednesday, when much of Lagos should have been quiet, the Lekki–Ajah corridor was still glowing red from endless brake lights. Car horns filled the air, and frustrated drivers leaned out of their windows, cursing and commiserating as the fumes of thousands of vehicles hung heavy.

For hours, the traffic hadn’t moved. There was no accident, no rainfall only a road so battered that it had become a trap. Some commuters, exhausted, turned off their engines and slumped in silence; others abandoned their cars, trekking home under dim streetlights.

It wasn’t just congestion; it was paralysis—complete gridlock on one of Lagos’ most vital commercial arteries.

“I spent four hours getting to work,” said Bayo Adeyinka, a financial expert, who later tagged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a viral post appealing for repairs. “There was no obstruction, just a bad road. Please fix it.”

By midnight, the jam still hadn’t eased. The Lekki–Epe Expressway—a lifeline for residents of Ajah, VGC, Abijo, and Ibeju-Lekki—had become a motionless parking lot.

The Road That Eats Time

From Abijo to Jakande, commuters described the day as endless. Sylvester Akobe said it took him five hours to cover a short distance, blaming the poor road. Tope Yisau spent nearly eight hours commuting to and from work—time lost to exhaustion and frustration.

Families suffer too. One father, Adekunle Shotubo, said his son now returns from school by 7 p.m. “When does he rest or do homework?” a friend replied. For many, long commutes have stolen rest, family time, and productivity.

Broken Infrastructure, Broken Spirits

Across social media, commuters shared their anger and fatigue.

“I left Ogombo at 5:10 a.m., and by 9:50 a.m., I still hadn’t reached Lekki Phase One,” wrote @EnergyGoddessA. “I get queried at work for lateness caused by roads only the government can fix.”

Another post read: “A car dodging a pothole nearly crashed. We shouldn’t have to live like this.”

The High Cost of Poor Planning

The Lekki–Epe corridor was meant to be a symbol of modern Lagos. Instead, it has become an example of unchecked expansion without matching infrastructure.

“The Epe/Lekki axis grows daily,” wrote researcher Charles Anazodo, “yet there’s only one route in and out. Lagos earns the highest IGR in Nigeria, but residents suffer from decayed roads.”

Other residents have called for alternative routes—bridges linking Ajah to Ikorodu, and new bypasses to ease pressure on the expressway.

Lagos Loses ₦4 Trillion Annually to Traffic

The Lekki–Epe corridor alone accounts for a major portion of Lagos’ ₦4 trillion annual loss to traffic congestion. Poor roads, encroachment, reckless parking, and weak enforcement turn the expressway into an obstacle course.

While the first rehabilitation phase (Eleko–Epe Junction) was reported 95% complete in 2022, the second phase, Eleko to Abraham Adesanya, remains slow, trapping thousands in gridlock daily

Encroachments also worsen the problem, as informal markets and illegal car lots occupy designated setbacks.

Trucks, Craters, and Chaos

The influx of heavy-duty trucks serving refineries and the Free Trade Zone has compounded the crisis. Overloaded vehicles damage the roads and clog narrow lanes, creating the “Apapa-style” gridlock residents now call the “Apaparisation of Lekki.”

Mental and Economic Toll

The impact goes beyond inconvenience. Residents describe psychological stress, lost work hours, and soaring fuel costs.

“We’re losing valuable time and risking our health,” wrote Oluwaseyi Oriola. “We need sustainable infrastructure and public transport.”

For others, the despair runs deep. “I cried driving from the Island to Yaba,” said Treasure Joy. “I dread going home.”

Failing Leadership and Fading Patience

Some residents have begun questioning leadership priorities. “A state generating over ₦50 billion monthly shouldn’t have this level of neglect,” wrote Mobolaji Johnson.

Many believe the crisis reflects years of underinvestment in road maintenance, poor planning, and slow policy response.

Government Response

The Lagos State Government has introduced several measures, including the E-Call Up System for trucks to regulate traffic around the Lekki–Epe Free Trade Zone. Set for full enforcement in August 2025, the system aims to prevent indiscriminate truck parking.

Authorities have also begun demolishing illegal structures along the corridor to reclaim road space. The ongoing rehabilitation of the Eti-Osa/Lekki–Epe Expressway covering 45 km is expected to ease congestion once completed.

Still, residents remain cautious. “The government has shown intent,” said Chief James Emadoye of the Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association. “But intent alone cannot move vehicles. We need results.”

Until then, the Lekki–Epe Expressway remains a slow crawl of frustration—an enduring test of patience for thousands who call the corridor home.

Source: Punch

By: Godfrey George

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The Lagos State Government has suspended all land reclamation projects across the state, warning that defaulters have seven days to comply or face strict sanctions.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the ministry is worried about “the proliferation of reclamation activities on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons statewide, especially in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, and parts of Ikorodu.”

He noted that “many projects lacked proper Environmental Impact Assessment approvals and drainage clearance from the ministry,” adding that reclamation, though useful for housing and infrastructure, “carried risks of flooding, erosion, and ecosystem disruption.”

“Lagos’s low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem cannot withstand indiscriminate reclamation activities without grave consequences,” Wahab said.

“Consequently, the ministry is by this notice directing all reclamation projects across the state, with or without EIA approval and drainage clearance, to be suspended immediately.

“All approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper documentation and monitoring, while all ongoing and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of approval letter and drainage clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

He warned that “non-compliance within seven days would attract strict sanctions, including site decommissioning and arrest of violators.”

The commissioner added that the ministry would “remove illegal fills, reopen blocked water channels, and prosecute anyone involved in violations. Enough is enough.”

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