Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were stranded for several hours on Tuesday as repair works on damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge triggered a massive traffic gridlock.

The congestion stretched from the Kara Bridge area in Ogun State towards Lagos, creating difficulties for motorists heading in both directions.

Correspondents monitoring the situation observed that the traffic began building up in the afternoon and had extended beyond Secretariat Bus Stop by 3:30pm.

Motorists approaching the Otedola underpass from Ikeja and Agege were also caught in the congestion, with the traffic stretching towards Otunba Jobi Fele Way.

Security, traffic officials deployed

A heavy presence of security and traffic management personnel was observed along the affected corridor.

Those deployed included personnel of the police and military, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps.

The officials were seen managing traffic by alternating vehicles travelling towards Kara from Isheri and Ojodu with motorists coming from the expressway in an effort to prevent a complete lockdown of the corridor.

Repair works at the entry and exit points of the bridge towards OPIC also contributed to the congestion around Kara.

Motorists lament hours-long traffic

A motorist, Tunji Kazeem, described the situation as unbearable, saying there was no viable alternative route for motorists heading towards Mowe.

According to him, he left Oshodi at about 1pm but became stuck in traffic around the 7Up area.

Another motorist, Jelili, lamented what he described as recurring gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and called for a lasting solution.

He said motorists were regularly forced to endure severe congestion caused by road repairs, accidents and other activities along the highway.

Motorists demand permanent solution

Another motorist, Kunle Bankole, appealed to the relevant authorities to find a permanent solution to the recurring traffic problems along the expressway.

He said the situation had become particularly difficult for commuters who depend on the major highway for daily movement between Lagos and Ogun states.

The latest gridlock has renewed concerns over traffic management along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of the major transport corridors connecting Lagos with other parts of southwestern Nigeria.

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Residents, pedestrians, and motorists in parts of Oshodi-Isolo have raised urgent concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Oke-Afa Mass Burial Bridge, warning that continued neglect could lead to a potential collapse.

The affected bridge, located around Jakande Gate Bus Stop along the Ikotun–Iyana Ejigbo–Cele corridor, serves as a critical link connecting several densely populated communities, including Isolo, Egbe, Ikotun, Idimu, and Ijegun.

Commuters say the structure has become increasingly unsafe, with visible damage worsening traffic congestion and disrupting daily activities in the area.

During a visit to the axis, it was observed that motorists spend hours navigating the damaged stretch, particularly between Jakande Gate and the Cele Expressway, where the road condition has significantly declined.

A trader, Chioma Cynthia, described the situation as frustrating, noting that a journey that should typically last under an hour now stretches to two or three hours due to persistent gridlock.

She, however, acknowledged the efforts of officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who she said have been managing traffic flow despite the difficult conditions.

Another resident, Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the poor state of the road has imposed heavy financial burdens on motorists, citing frequent vehicle damage and rising maintenance costs.

According to him, many residents now spend significant amounts repairing components such as ball joints and control arms, describing the situation as both frustrating and economically draining.

He added that the issue has lingered for over three years, with little visible progress on repairs.

Similarly, a resident identified as Stev Akpota warned that sections of the road have already collapsed, increasing the risk of accidents, including cases of trucks losing control and containers falling off.

Residents insist that the bridge, which was last rehabilitated about two decades ago, now requires urgent structural intervention to prevent a possible disaster.

They called on the Lagos State Government to act swiftly by commencing rehabilitation work and implementing lasting solutions to restore safety and ease traffic flow.

The growing concerns highlight the broader infrastructure challenges facing rapidly expanding urban centres, where aging road networks struggle to keep up with increasing population and traffic demands.

The post Residents Raise Alarm Over Failing Oke-Afa Bridge in Lagos appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

High ferry fares are limiting the adoption of water transport in Lagos, despite its potential to reduce traffic congestion. Experts warn that without fare subsidies, the new €410 million Omi Eko Project may struggle to attract daily commuters.

Currently, a one-way trip from Ikorodu to Victoria Island or Lekki costs ₦3,000–₦3,500, while the state-run LagFerry offers cheaper ₦1,500 rides but with limited service.

Transport expert Hannah Kates said most public transport systems are subsidized and urged the Lagos government to make ferries affordable enough to compete with buses. Researcher Tonami Playman added that high prices exclude most workers and called for fare integration with other transport options.

The Omi Eko Project—funded by the EU, AFD, and EIB will add new routes, terminals, and electric ferries to serve up to 25 million passengers annually. But experts say success depends on affordability, frequency, and reliability, not just infrastructure.

The post Experts Warn Ferry Costs Could Limit Lagos Omi Eko Project appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

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

The post Lekki–Epe Expressway Gridlock: Bad Roads, Lost Time, and Lagos’ Failing Infrastructure appeared first on Housing TV Africa.