LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, experienced severe traffic congestion on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, due to a combination of a major bridge closure and a heavy downpour.
The situation was particularly chaotic in the Victoria Island and Ikoyi areas, which were worst affected by the closure of the Independence Bridge, a critical infrastructure connecting Victoria Island to Marina and Eko Bridge.
The closure, which began on April 1, is part of a two-month repair work expected to last until the end of May 2025.
This closure, alongside the morning rainfall, created significant disruption, leading to long traffic delays.
Commuters faced bumper-to-bumper traffic, with many struggling to reach their destinations on time.
Some passengers reported spending upwards of six hours on commutes that would typically take two to three hours.
The disruption was compounded by increased transport fares, which surged by more than 100 percent, as drivers and passengers alike were caught in the gridlock.
Drivers expressed frustration at the losses incurred due to the delays, with some drivers unable to complete their regular trips.
One driver mentioned how starting his day at 4 a.m. left him struggling to complete his second trip instead of the usual fourth, resulting in significant financial setbacks.
Commuters also shared their exhausting experiences.
One passenger, Jolade, reported leaving her family in Epe at 6 a.m. but only managing to arrive at her workplace by 1 p.m.
Another passenger, Anita, spent over three hours stuck at Falomo Bridge, eventually needing to queue for a vehicle to continue her journey to Obalende.
The Federal Ministry of Works had previously informed the public about the closure, advising motorists to seek alternative routes during the repair period.
Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, had emphasized that the closure was necessary to carry out essential maintenance and rehabilitation work on the Independence Bridge.
Despite this advance warning, the repairs led to severe disruptions in the city’s already congested traffic system.
Motorists have been urged to plan their routes accordingly and explore alternative pathways to avoid the affected areas.
