RE: THE GREAT LAGOS LOCKDOWN

  Tayo Ogunbiyi argues that Lagos cannot be defined by a single incident

The attention of the Lagos State Government (LASG) has been drawn to an opinion piece titled “The Great Lagos Lockdown,” published in THISDAY March 27, 2026. While we appreciate constructive criticism as a vital component of a thriving democracy, it is imperative to address the inaccuracies, emotive leaps, and systemic omissions contained in the article to ensure the public is properly enlightened and educated.

The author characterizes a specific traffic event on Saturday, March 21, as a “lockdown”, reflecting a “town planning disaster”, while in reality, this was a high-stakes emergency response.

Traffic congestion, while undesirable, is a global urban challenge—not unique to Lagos—and is often exacerbated by incidents such as accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and non-compliance with traffic regulations.

 Besides this, it is important to stress that emergency response protocols worked as intended. Relevant agencies swiftly secured the corridor, prevented a potentially catastrophic escalation of the LPG hazard, and coordinated the removal of wreckage. Temporary road closure, though inconvenient, was necessary to protect lives and property.

Also, the assertion that the Lekki–Epe corridor reflects a “planning nightmare” overlooks significant and ongoing infrastructure investments by the Lagos State Government.

The incident in question occurred at approximately 1:00 AM, when a sand-laden tipper collided with a stationary LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) truck. The presence of a compromised gas tanker necessitated a specialized, delicate recovery operation to prevent a catastrophic explosion in a densely populated corridor.

The temporary closure of the road that afternoon was a mandatory safety protocol managed by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Fire Service to ensure the carcasses were removed without loss of life. To prioritize speed over safety in such a volatile scenario would have been a true failure of governance. The claim that the state government has “abandoned” inner roads and the Ibeju-Lekki axis is factually incorrect. Under the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, the Sanwo-Olu administration has remained committed to an integrated transport system.

The author dismisses the ongoing Coastal Highway project, which is designed precisely to provide the “escape routes” and relief the LEE requires. Over the last year, the Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has rehabilitated over 450 inner-city roads. The “self-help” efforts mentioned are often community-led enhancements that complement, rather than replace, state-funded arterial projects.

Lagos has moved beyond being a “road-only” city. The Blue and Red Rail Lines and the expansion of the Lagferry fleet are actively reducing the pressure on our highways.

The article also questions the state’s “staggering” 4.444 trillion budget. We wish to remind the author that Lagos remains the only state in Nigeria capable of such ambitious self-funding, with a significant portion dedicated to Capital Expenditure.

Every naira of the Lagos budget is subject to public scrutiny via the State House of Assembly as well as the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.

These funds are currently powering the Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge, the massive Food Systems and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Epe, the construction of a brand-new General Hospital at Ojo, the construction of the New Massey Street General Hospital (when completed, it will be the biggest in West Africa), the construction of the Mental Health Institute in Ketu-Ejirin, Epe, the comprehensive renovation of public health facilities at the Ebute-Meta Health Centre, Harvey Road Health Centre, General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, and the Isolo Ketu-Ejirin Health Centre, and the construction of the Permanent 300 Bed Isolation Centre, the Yaba Infectious Disease Centre, the Yaba Infectious Diseases Research Institute, and the Doctors’ Quarters at Yaba and Gbagada, among others.

The writer’s assertion that Local Governments (LGs) are “nigh extinct” represents another error on his part.  The state has fostered a collaborative relationship with the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs to ensure that grassroots development, from health centers to local drainage clearing, continues unhindered. It is on record that many of the LGs in the state have embarked on and commissioned numerous people-oriented projects.

It must be stressed that Lagos, as one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities with a population running into tens of millions, faces extraordinary urban pressures, including rapid migration and expanding economic activity.

To properly contend with the State’s unique challenges, the current administration has embarked on a systematic expansion and rehabilitation of major arterial roads. 

Equally, the government has developed alternative routes and transport modes (including rail and water transport). Recall that it is under the current administration that two major rail lines, the Red Line and the Blue Line, were completed and commissioned.

Since it began commercial operation on October 15, 2024, the Red Line has been ferrying over 500,000 passengers through its daily nine trips (five trips in the morning and four in the evening) from Agbado to Oyingbo. The journey between Agbado and Oyingbo takes approximately 50 minutes with the Red Line.

 Unlike the Blue Line, which runs on a completely new track, the Red Line utilizes the existing standard-gauge railway corridor owned by the federal government, with significant upgrades carried out by the state government. Several level crossings were replaced with overpasses to ensure safety and eliminate accidents between trains and vehicles.

Eight stations were constructed along the corridor: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo. These stations serve as strategic transit points connecting different parts of Lagos. The Ikeja station, for instance, provides easy access to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport area, while Oshodi connects to one of the largest transport interchanges in West Africa.

To consolidate its intermodal transport drive, the Sanwo-Olu administration has also upgraded many roads across the State. In 2025 alone, it delivered 61 roads (covering 56.52km) and five bridges.

Some of the roads that have so far been completely refurbished and commissioned include the three networks of roads at Oniru, Victoria Island [Adeola Hopewell, Idowu Taylor, and Afribank/Church Gate Streets], Ikoyi network of roads – Mac Donald Road/Lateef Jakande Roads, Milverton Road, and Thompson Avenue in Ikoyi, and 31 networks of Roads in Ojokoro LCDA.

Others include the Tedi-Muwo Link Bridge, Lagos-Ogun boundary Roads in Alimosho, and Agbado-Oke–Odo access roads, the 13.68 kilometers Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT corridor, Phase One of Ijede Road in Ikorodu was commissioned, and the 1.4 km flyover and dual carriageway at Pen-Cinema, Agege, among others. 

To further ease road transportation, the government launched 500 First and Last Mile (FLM) buses and added 560 high- and medium-capacity buses to the BRT fleet.

The government is also developing water transport via the establishment of 16 new ferry terminals/jetties. These include Ilashe Amuwo-Odofin, Ijegun Egba, Amuwo-Odofin, Marina, Badagry, Isalu Ajido, Badagry, Offin Ikorodu, Ito Omu Epe, and Liverpool, Apapa, among others.

While the article correctly highlights the need for more resilient infrastructure, it fails to acknowledge that urban transformation is a continuous process, especially in a city experiencing the scale and speed of Lagos’ growth. Government interventions must be understood as phased, data-driven, and responsive, rather than instantaneous fixes.

Being critical public opinion molders, commentators need to adopt a constructive and balanced approach in public discourse. Criticism is welcome, but it must be grounded in facts, context, and an appreciation of the complexities of managing a megacity.

Lagos cannot be defined by a single incident. It is defined by its capacity to respond, adapt, and progress. The current administration remains focused on its ‘Rising Lagos’ project. We invite all stakeholders, including the media, to engage with us based on data and the visible progress being made across our five divisions.

Ogunbiyi is Director, Public Enlightenment and Community Relations, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.