Lagos Traffic Crisis: Bridge repair sparks outrage as FG orders reopening

• Lagos residents endured up to 12 hours in traffic due to the closure of the Independence Bridge for repairs
• Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu apologised for the chaos, explaining that the repairs were necessary to prevent a potential disaster
• Lagosians took to social media to vent, describing the situation as one of the worst traffic incidents in the city's history

Lagos State has been thrown into chaos following the closure of the Independence Bridge at Bonny Camp for repairs, resulting in severe traffic congestion across the metropolis. 

The bridge closure, which began on April 1, 2025, resulted in extreme congestion, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours. 

Motorists and commuters have been left stranded for hours, with some reportedly spending as much as 12 hours in gridlock. 

In response to public outcry, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed the immediate reopening of the bridge. 

However, concerns remain over the state of the bridge and the impact of the decision. 

The situation has sparked widespread frustration among Lagosians, with citizens expressing their displeasure on social media.

Governor’s response and justification for the repairs

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu addressed the public via his official X page, apologising for the severe inconvenience caused by the bridge closure. 

He explained that the decision to repair the Independence Bridge was not made overnight but had been in planning for over three years due to the bridge’s deteriorating structural integrity. 

He emphasised that delaying the intervention any further would have put lives at risk.

Sanwo-Olu assured residents that the Lagos State Government was working closely with relevant agencies to manage traffic and mitigate the disruptions. 

He also urged businesses and organisations to consider flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid work models, to ease congestion. 

The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to making Lagos a more resilient and liveable city.

However, in a video statement, he emphasised the need for the construction and said now is the best time to repair the bridge. 

"We're about a solution, how do we ensure it doesn't happen tomorrow and next tomorrow? That's why I'm out here in the morning, to come and see things for myself, to explain, take responsibility, apologize, but also ensure we solve a disaster that could happen at some point. This gutter has been here for over three years, and we've been managing the bridge underneath the water. There's never a best time to solve a difficult problem like this. Let's work together as citizens," Sanwo-Olu stated.

Federal Government’s response

In response to the severe traffic crisis, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge to vehicular traffic. 

The Federal Controller of Works, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, acknowledged the hardship caused by the closure and assured the public that palliative measures would be taken to make the bridge motorable while repairs continue.

Meanwhile, actress Kate Henshaw shared a video showing the appalling condition of the supposed road that the FG intends to reopen. 

The footage reveals deep craters, loose sand, and ongoing excavation work, raising serious safety concerns.

Impact on commuters and citywide traffic

The traffic congestion has affected major parts of Lagos, particularly Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and other surrounding areas. 

The closure of the bridge led to heavy congestion on alternative routes, worsening traffic from Lekki through Victoria Island to Falomo Bridge.

• Reports from affected residents highlighted the severity of the gridlock:
• Motorists heading to the mainland from the Island faced extreme delays.
• People abandoned their vehicles and resorted to trekking long distances to get home.
• The combination of road closure and early morning rainfall intensified the situation.
• Commuters reported robberies and security concerns while stuck in traffic.
• Emergency response was severely affected, raising concerns about the ability to handle medical and security crises.

Government interventions

Following the outcry, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, disclosed in a post that the governor has deployed additional traffic management officials, including LASTMA and Lagos State Task Force officers, to restore order. 

The state government also urged Lagosians to adhere to traffic rules to prevent further chaos.

However, despite these measures, the root cause of the congestion, the closure of the Independence Bridge, remains a major challenge. 

The reopening of the bridge is expected to provide some relief, but it remains unclear how effective this will be in the short term.

Public reactions and frustrations

Social media users took to X to express their anger and frustration over the situation. 

Some notable reactions included:

@daveobada: "Lagos traffic is the perfect metaphor for life, everyone is in a hurry, nobody is moving, and the ones breaking the rules seem to be getting ahead."

@Juddywizard: "This Lagos traffic has to be one of the craziest I have seen in years. It wasn’t this bad when they closed the Third Mainland Bridge."

@maxvayshia: "They will call you from work that your wife is in labor, you will enter Lagos traffic, and by the time you get to the hospital, your son is in Primary 3."

@olajideobe: "I walked 5.24 km home because traffic was completely blocked. People had to park their cars and walk."

@CuteNaija: "Residents are spending six hours moving just a few kilometers, and the governor’s solution is 'Don't come to Victoria Island'?"

@damilolalice: This has to be the worst traffic in the history of Lagos Nigeria…

Been at this since 5:00PM all the way from MARUWA LEKKI, it’s 11:26 right now and I’m presently at CIVIC CENTER 😭

@DanielRegha: Lagos traffic 99% of the time is caused by drivers impatience; Someone will be stuck in traffic for hours, only to discover that it's cos everyone is trying to pass/enter at the same time. No-one is willing to wait for the other driver.

@Chiniel5: People living in Lagos are suffering o. How will someone leave their house around 5am to work and return home around 2am because of traffic and still go back to work again around 5am?

Have this happened anywhere else in Nigeria?

Lagos set to integrate korope, danfo buses into state transport reform plan

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Lagos State Government was set to integrate Korope and Danfo buses into the Bus Reform Initiative. 

According to the report, the project would include a three-month trial, improving routes and addressing transport extortion.