FIC Report (Lagos State) – The Federal Government earlier set an April deadline to take over any unfinished sections of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in a move aimed at speeding up completion of the long-delayed project.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had warned contractors to complete outstanding work or risk losing control of those sections to the government.
At the time, only a small but critical portion of the road, especially parts of the Lagos-bound lane, remained unfinished. The directive was seen as a way to push contractors to meet timelines and ensure the road could be fully opened to the public.
More than a year later, the situation shows mixed progress.
While most of the expressway is now in use and traffic has improved compared to previous years, some sections are still undergoing repairs and finishing touches. Areas along the route continue to experience construction activity, indicating that the project has not been completely finalized.
There has also been no clear confirmation that the government fully took over any major sections as initially threatened. Instead, work appears to have continued under existing arrangements, with gradual progress rather than a sudden takeover.
The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway remains one of Nigeria’s most important highways, linking the commercial hub of Lagos with other parts of the country. Delays in its completion have long affected travel time, transport costs, and economic activity.
Although the April deadline helped push the project closer to completion, the road is still not entirely finished. For now, motorists can use most parts of the expressway, but should expect occasional disruptions as work continues.
The project highlights a familiar trend in major infrastructure developments—deadlines often drive progress, but final completion can take longer than planned.
Gloria Dawodu
CI&PRO
April 11, 2026
