Lagos: Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge Still Closed Half a Year Post-Commissioning

Despite being officially inaugurated several months ago, the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge in Lagos remains inaccessible to motorists, confounding expectations that it would open to traffic by the end of September. This prolonged closure has become a source of growing frustration for daily commuters, many of whom believe the bridge holds the key to significantly alleviating local traffic congestion.

The Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge was formally commissioned on April 8, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event. The project was designed with the aim of enhancing vehicular movement across various parts of Lagos, offering an alternative route to connect Opebi, Mende, Maryland, and Ojota, thereby easing pressure on existing, often gridlocked, roads. However, six months following its grand opening, the bridge is yet to welcome its first vehicles.

For those who regularly navigate this busy corridor, the continued unavailability of this alternative route means enduring longer travel times and persistent congestion. Adebayo Adebisi, a commuter, praised the initiative but urged authorities to expedite its opening. “This is a short route to Maryland, Ojota, and Ketu. The bridge is very good. The construction is commendable, but the government should please open it as soon as possible. People are suffering,” Adebisi stated.

Another commuter, Chidioke David, emphasized the potential for the bridge to reduce travel stress, especially during peak hours. “This is Lagos; everywhere is busy, traffic, especially on a Monday morning like this, is very important because the roads are usually busy with traffic as everyone heads to work. I believe the opening of this bridge will help reduce traffic congestion, particularly on working days,” David explained.

Abdulmalik Hassan, another frustrated motorist, echoed these sentiments, simply urging the government to act. “We just want the government to come and open this road for us so that it can reduce the traffic and that everything will be okay,” Hassan appealed.

The ongoing closure comes despite an earlier assurance from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who had indicated that the bridge would be operational by September 30. The Governor had previously explained that contractors were still finalizing certain aspects, including the erection of large cranes and a decorative structure, adding that the government preferred to avoid opening the bridge only to shut it down again for completion. Nevertheless, as of October 14, 2026, the specified deadline has elapsed, and the bridge remains unused.

In response to an inquiry from RBN, the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure confirmed that the bridge project itself is complete and has been commissioned. The ministry clarified that current efforts are focused on installing a significant monument intended to bestow a unique identity upon the project. Adeshina Odunuga, the ministry’s spokesperson, noted that this installation is nearing completion. “They are putting in place the monument now. I think that is public knowledge. They are putting in place the monument. The project has been completed. It has been commissioned, and they are just putting in place the monument. The monument is like an arch. You can see it from everywhere right now. They are just fixing the monument. You know what monuments are generally? It is just trying to carve a niche for the project, you know, a cultural niche. So, they are installing a very, very big monument there. And I think it is almost done now. It is almost done now,” he elaborated.

Despite these updates, the state government has yet to announce a definitive new date for the bridge to finally open its lanes to the public.