Isolo-Ikotun Road Project Stalls As Motorists Groan Over Worsening Traffic

Motorists and commuters plying the Isolo-Ikotun corridor in Lagos State have expressed frustration over the worsening condition of the road, as the long-delayed reconstruction project remains stalled.

The affected road, which serves several densely populated communities, has become increasingly difficult to navigate, with motorists spending hours on journeys that would ordinarily take only a few minutes.

Residents have appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works to resume and complete the reconstruction, saying the poor state of the road has intensified traffic congestion and increased the cost of vehicle maintenance.

The Federal Government commenced the reconstruction of the Mushin-NNPC-Palm Avenue-Isolo-Ejigbo Road in 2022, with the project originally scheduled for completion by May 2024.

The project, approved by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2022 at a cost of N11.2 billion, was designed to ease congestion and improve infrastructure along the busy corridor.

However, more than two years after the original completion date, significant sections of the project remain unfinished.

The contractor completed both sides of the road between Iyana-Isolo and Isolo General Hospital in June 2025, while less than 200 metres of the section between the Isolo-Oke-Afa Canal and Mobil Filling Station, Oke-Afa, was completed in October 2025.

About 100 metres of the road around Oke-Afa Bus Stop was also tiled early this year before work subsequently stopped.

The unfinished portions have left motorists contending with potholes, damaged road surfaces and severe traffic congestion, particularly along the Oke-Afa-NNPC Bus Stop axis.

Commuters said traffic becomes particularly difficult between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., with journeys that should take less than five minutes sometimes lasting an hour or more.

A motorist, Israel Jacob, said the condition of the road was taking a toll on vehicles, with motorists frequently visiting mechanics to repair damage caused by the bad surface.

“The road is destroying our vehicles. Trucks fall off the road at times. We don’t only regularly go to the mechanic to fix mechanical issues; our tyres also get damaged because of the bad road,” he said.

Jacob urged the government to complete the project, saying, “They started it; they should complete it.”

Another road user, Mercy Okechukwu, described the condition of the road as unacceptable, particularly given the volume of traffic and the number of communities it serves.

“The road is too damaged. The potholes are a concern because of the busy nature of the road,” she said.

Okechukwu said motorists and commuters were spending hours on the route, while repeated vehicle repairs were placing additional financial pressure on residents.

She noted that although some sections between Isolo and Oke-Afa had received attention, the stretch from Oke-Afa towards Ikotun remained in poor condition.

“The road has been in this bad condition for over 15 years. We hope the road will be fixed soon,” she added.

Responding to the concerns, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, said the road would be completed alongside the Oke-Afa Bridge project.

Dare also disclosed that he had requested the deployment of officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to the area to help manage the worsening congestion.

“The road will be completed alongside the bridge. I have requested that officials of LASTMA be deployed to the area for traffic management,” he said.

“I just sent a letter to the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, requesting that LASTMA officials be mobilised to the place. We want to start work on the Oke-Afa Bridge,” Dare added.