Akute-Ajuwon-Alagbole and the Change Narrative About Neglected Corridor

Femi Ogbonnikan

At last, the long‑abandoned Akute‑Ajuwon‑Alagbole road has been completed and commissioned by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, bringing significant relief to residents. It’s another promise kept. The road, once a nightmare of infrastructure neglect, now eases commuting with reduced traffic and travel time. Efficient public infrastructure, especially good roads, boosts community connectivity, economic growth, better access for businesses, higher quality of life, less wear on vehicles, and lower stress for commuters.
​ ​The commissioning of Akute-Ajuwon-Alagbole in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State by the Governor represents a significant event, delivering a promise of relief to that corridor. The strategic importance of this road goes far beyond local relief. The completion of the road significantly enhances the connectivity between Ogun State and Lagos State. This is particularly bearing in mind that Akute, Ajuwon, and Alagbole are border communities in Ogun State that are geographically closer to the economic hubs in Lagos, like Ikeja and Ojodu-Berger than to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The road is a major artery for thousands of people who live in Ogun but work in Lagos.
​For this economic corridor, the successful completion of the road makes the movement of goods and people between the two commercial centres much more efficient, potentially stimulating socio-economic activities and commerce in the benefitting communities.
​In terms of infrastructure network, the Akute-Ajuwon-Alagbole road forms part of a larger network of roads the Ogun State government is working on, which includes other vital links like the Denro–Ishasi–Akute Road and the ongoing Akute–Ijoko–Sango road project. Completing these links creates a robust transportation backbone that serves the entire border area.
​The reconstruction of the road transforms a previously terrible commuting experience-which had been neglected for years-into a viable, smoother link, making it easier to live and work across the two states.
​It is worth noting that the Akute road network project involves several components, with varying lengths for the specific roads.​ Based on recent government announcements and project updates, Akute–Ijoko Road is about 20-kilometre dual carriageway project. It is being executed in phases. The first phase currently under reconstruction covers a 9.7-kilometre stretch up to the Agbado Train Station area. The total length of the dual carriageway, including drainages, is put at 40 kilometres (20 km x 2 lanes).
​The Akute-Ajuwon Road is about 4.5 kilometres, while the Alagbole–Akute Road is about 1.5 kilometres. Akute Bridge to Agbado (Lateef Jakande) Train Terminal/Pass/Agbado Bridge has a length of 9.2 kilometres. The entire Sango-Ijoko-Akute corridor is said to be about 17 kilometres long.
Out of all these, the largest single road is the Akute–Ijoko Road which is about 20 kilometres. The surrounding network involves several other critical roads like the Akute-Ajuwon and Alagbole-Akute roads, adding several kilometres to the overall commissioned and working network.
​To be explicit, the total combined length is not a single, fixed figure because the network is being implemented in phases and consists of separate, adjoining roads. However, based on the lengths of the major components being commissioned, ​Akute–Ijoko Dual Carriageway, according to the Governor, is 40 kilometres, including drainages.
Combining the major road segments that are either completed or actively under construction, the total length of the road network on this corridor is approximately 60 kilometres if you include the full 20-kilometre Akute-Ijoko dual carriageway along with the other single-lane roads.
​ While commissioning the Akute–Ajuwon–Alagbole Road in Ifo Local Government Area, Governor Abiodun promised to award 11 more projects across the state. This, he explained, was in fulfilment of his electoral pledge and his administration’s efforts to further open up the state for economic development.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun described the completion of the road as a transformative milestone for both Ifo Local Government and the state at large. He stated that the project was in response to the long-standing yearnings of residents, confirming that his administration had earlier rehabilitated and reconstructed several adjoining roads in the axis, including Alhaji Kosoko Road (which links Denro–Ishasi–Akute), Segun Osoba Road, Toyin Street, and Yakoyo–Alagbole Road.
“We also focused on the Hercules–Oke Aro–Giwa Road. That road was in terrible condition, but by the grace of God, it is now 100 percent completed. I will be back soon to commission it,” the governor said.
He explained that the reconstruction of the Akute–Ajuwon–Alagbole Road formed part of a broader network linking several communities. His words: “We reconstructed the Akute–Ajuwon–Alagbole axis and the Alagbole–Akute stretch, which connects to Denro–Ishashi. Next, we will take on the Akute–Lanbe–Oke Aro–Agbado–Ijoko–Sango roads. The Akute–Sango corridor is a 17-kilometre dual carriageway started by my predecessor but abandoned, rendering it impassable.
“We have divided it into two phases. The first phase, covering 9.7 kilometres up to the Agbado Train Station and about 700 metres beyond, is currently under reconstruction. The second phase, which will extend to Sango, will be awarded soon.”
The governor further disclosed that the two roads commissioned at the event were the 1.5-kilometre Alagbole–Ajuwon Road and the 4.5-kilometre Akute–Ajuwon Road. “The Alagbole–Akute Road should be ready in about two to three weeks. I will return to commission that alongside the Hercules Road, hopefully before the New Year,” he added.
The Governor stressed that the road projects in Ifo II were part of a wider infrastructure drive covering Ifo I and II in the Ogun Central Senatorial District. Other completed or ongoing roads in the district, he said, included the Sango–Ijoko–Agbado Road, Adesan Road in Obafemi Owode, Magboro–Makogi Road, Elega–Isaje–Miliki–Bode–Olude Extension, Oke–Lantoro–Yidi Lane, and the Sango–Abeokuta Road.
During the commissioning of roads within the Akute network, the Governor consistently emphasizes that these projects are a fulfillment of his promise to ensure equitable and fair distribution of infrastructure projects across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State.
​Specifically regarding the Akute roads network, which falls under Ifo Local Government Area, the commissioning events are often highlighted as a correction of past neglect, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to balancing Development. In effect, the aim to ensure that critical border communities like Akute, which serve as a major link to Lagos, receive significant attention and investment.
​This aligns with the administration’s overall development blueprint encompassing Infrastructure, Social Well-being, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture.
​Therefore, successful completion of these roads is meant to transform previously dilapidated but economically vital corridors to improve commerce and the quality of life for residents who had endured years of hardship due to poor roads.
​The commissioning of roads like the Akute–Ajuwon–Alagbole Road serves as a concrete demonstration that no part of the state will be left behind in the infrastructure drive.
​The Governor berated previous administrations for neglecting the area despite its economic significance, stressing that his government’s intervention was aimed at compensating residents for years of abandonment.
He emphasized that the project forms part of his administration’s Urban Renewal Programme, which cuts across the ISEYA mantra, encompassing roads, hospitals, education, security, and human capital development.
Abiodun expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting state governors in transforming Nigeria into a construction site and also thanked the people of Ifo for their patience and cooperation throughout the project.
In his remarks, the member representing Ifo II State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Fola Salami, lamented that past administrations had neglected the area, adding that the project represents the true dividends of democracy.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ifo Local Government Area, Mr. Lekan Kusimo, said residents and business owners suffered for over two decades due to the deplorable state of the roads, expressing joy that the situation had finally been reversed.
On behalf of the community, Alhaji Bashiru Akande thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise, while the Odofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade, lauded the government for delivering the road project at a most critical time.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, said the completion of the road would bring huge relief to commuters and revive business activities in the corridor. He assured that the government was making steady progress on other ongoing road projects and urged residents to take ownership of the new road by keeping it clean and avoiding the dumping of refuse into the drainage channels.
This appeal is critical for the long term sustainability of the projects. Taking ownership of the roads includes keeping them clean and avoiding the dumping of refuse into the drainage channels. This is critical, as blocked drainages are the primary cause of road failure during the rainy season. The Governor himself has issued strong warnings regarding the protection of public utilities, which applies directly to the new road infrastructure, including street lights and road furniture. He has warned vandals of public infrastructure that anyone caught will be punished according to the law.
​Government can build the infrastructure, but its longevity and sustainability depend entirely on the active participation and vigilance of the host communities.

*Ogbonnikan is a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Ogun State Governor on Media