Ogun Youths Protest Delay In Reconstruction Of Abeokuta–Imeko Road
Youths under the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogun West Senatorial District, have called on the Ogun State Government to fulfil its January 2026 promise to reconstruct the Abeokuta–Olorunda–Imeko Road, expressing concern over the worsening condition of the route.
The youths staged a protest on Saturday along the Alamala axis of the road, displaying placards calling for urgent government intervention and highlighting the dangers posed by the deteriorating infrastructure.
Some of the inscriptions read, “Good road is our right, not a privilege,” “Our road is a death trap—FG, save us,” and “No good road, no progress.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the State Vice Chairman of the NYCN in Ogun West, Kehinde Olorunjubelo, appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide an update on the reconstruction project and take immediate steps to ensure its implementation.
Olorunjubelo recalled that the governor had, during the commissioning of the Afon Township Road in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area on January 28, 2026, directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to prepare an estimate for the reconstruction of the Abeokuta–Olorunda–Imeko Road.
According to him, Abiodun had indicated that the estimate would be presented at the next State Executive Council meeting, with construction expected to commence immediately afterwards.
However, the youth leader lamented that several months had passed without visible progress on the project, adding that the road had deteriorated further despite the government’s earlier commitment.
“Several months have passed since that announcement, and the deplorable condition of the road has become worse without any action as pledged to the good people of Imeko-Afon and the general public,” he said.
He described the road as a strategic link connecting Yewa North and Imeko-Afon local government areas to Abeokuta, the state capital, noting that its poor condition had continued to impose hardship on residents and other road users.
According to him, traders, farmers, students and commuters who depend on the route face difficult journeys, increased transportation costs, frequent vehicle maintenance expenses and heightened safety risks.
Olorunjubelo therefore urged both the state and Federal Governments to intervene urgently by assessing the road, repairing its most dangerous sections and providing a definite timeline for its rehabilitation and reconstruction.
He also called for the inclusion of adequate drainage systems and erosion-control measures in the project to prevent further deterioration of the road after reconstruction.
“The people of Ogun West have heard your promise, and they are looking forward to seeing it translated into action. We respectfully appeal for urgent intervention because the safety, livelihoods, and well-being of our people cannot continue to wait,” he said.
The NYCN official stressed that the protest was not politically motivated but was aimed at drawing attention to the difficulties faced by communities that rely on the road for transportation, commercial activities, education and access to essential services.
He urged the state government to communicate the current status of the project, outline the steps being taken towards its execution and disclose when work would commence.
Olorunjubelo also appealed to the media to sustain public attention on the road, while encouraging youths in the area to remain peaceful and engage constructively with relevant authorities.
He assured that the council would continue to engage the government until meaningful progress was made towards the reconstruction of the road.
The Abeokuta–Olorunda–Imeko Road is an important transportation corridor linking communities in Ogun State and providing a route towards the Benin Republic through Ilara town in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area. Its condition is considered significant to local trade, mobility and cross-border commercial activities.
