LAGOS, NIGERIA
Beginning from Saturday, November 15, 2025, commuters on the crucial Lekki-Ajah corridor will have to brace for eight months of partial closures and diversions as the Lagos State Government commences a major road rehabilitation project. The extensive work is scheduled to run until Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The announcement, initially made by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirming the rehabilitation is a bid to finally improve road quality and ease chronic congestion, has been met with immediate concern from residents, especially with the high-traffic festive season approaching.
To manage the significant disruption, the government plans to execute the project in two distinct phases, focusing on closing only one lane at a time to maintain a ‘through fare’ for motorists. Phase 1 covers seven sections from the Lekki 1st Toll Gate to Lekki 2nd Toll Gate. One of the two available lanes will be closed for repairs, forcing all traffic onto the remaining single lane before the work shifts to the second side. Phase 2 focuses on four sections from the Lekki 2nd Toll Gate to the Ajah Under-Bridge. Traffic inbound from Ajah towards Lekki will be diverted to a single lane while repairs are ongoing, with a similar lane swap upon completion. The government assures continuous movement throughout.
In response to public anxiety, the government has moved to reassure residents with a comprehensive traffic management strategy, as detailed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, in a statement. The rehabilitation will be implemented in “carefully planned phases,” focusing only on specific sections to minimise the impact on the main carriageway. Major construction activities will be moved to a night-shift schedule to take place when traffic volume is significantly lower, thereby reducing peak-hour inconvenience. Additionally, alternative routes, including the Coastal Road and adjoining service lanes, are being “opened and strengthened” to provide smoother diversions. Adequate numbers of LASTMA personnel will be deployed along the entire stretch to ensure continuous movement, prevent gridlock, and swiftly address any traffic pressure. The government is appealing to all motorists for patience and cooperation, reiterating that the project is a commitment to delivering lasting solutions for safer, faster, and more convenient commuting. However, the reality of merging two lanes into one on this already congested artery has left many commuters and businesses resigned to a nearly year-long period of anticipated bottlenecks and extended travel times.
