Lekki-Ajah Road Closure: Lagos Announces 8 Months of Traffic Hell Starting November 2025
By: Abudu Olalekan
The Lagos State Government just dropped a big one on commuters. Starting Saturday, 15 November 2025, the Lekki‑Ajah corridor will be under a massive eight‑month makeover. The plan? Close one lane, open the other, keep the traffic humming while crews stitch the road back together.
Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, signed the notice on Wednesday and posted it to his X feed. “Road rehabilitation works on Lekki‑Ajah corridor commence 15 Nov 2025 to 15 July 2026 – eight months,” he wrote. Short. Direct. No sugar‑coating.
Osiyemi says the work will roll out in two phases. Phase 1 hits the stretch between the first and second Lekki toll gates. Seven sections will be tackled. “One lane out of the two will be closed. Motorists use the remaining lane. When that lane’s done, we flip to the other,” the statement reads. It sounds simple, but Lagos traffic never likes simple.
Phase 2 moves the hammer from the second toll gate down to the Ajah under‑bridge. Four more sections get the rehab love. Again, a single‑lane diversion. “Drivers from Ajah heading to Lekki will be funneled onto one lane while the other gets fixed. Then we swap,” the brief adds.
The commissioner tried to sound reassuring. “Through‑fare will be maintained throughout Phase 1. Motorists heading to Ajah will have continuous movement in Phase 2.” He’s basically promising that you won’t be stuck in a standstill forever.
But Lagos drivers know promises are a different beast. The city’s roads have a habit of turning a “partial closure” into a full‑blown gridlock. Still, the government is asking for patience. “Some sections will be partially closed. Please be patient and follow traffic directions,” the advisory says. It’s a polite nudge, but the tone flips between formal and casual – almost like a neighbour reminding you to keep the noise down while you’re fixing the house.
Osiyemi ties the project to Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu’s broader vision. “This aligns with our commitment to sustainable urban mobility and infrastructural renewal.” He’s painting the diversion as a stepping stone to a smoother Lagos.
The story isn’t just about potholes. It’s about livelihoods. Vendors along the expressway, school buses, ride‑hailing drivers – all will feel the pinch. “Plan your journeys,” the commissioner urges. “Obey traffic management personnel.” It’s a call to collective responsibility, wrapped in a bureaucratic sigh.
Earlier this year, Lagos already started patching the Eti‑Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway, from Admiralty Way Junction to the Jubilee Bridge. That work gave commuters a taste of what’s coming. Some praised the quicker lanes; others complained about the endless detours. The new eight‑month stretch will be a bigger test.
What will the road look like when the dust settles? Smoother rides, fewer bumps, maybe a few extra minutes saved on the daily grind. That’s the promise. The reality? Lagos traffic has a way of rewriting promises on the fly.
For now, drivers can expect a single lane to stay open, signage flashing, and a steady stream of construction trucks humming along the median. The city’s traffic police will be out in force, directing flow, waving flags, and probably cracking jokes to keep spirits up.
If you’re heading to Lekki for a weekend brunch or to Ajah for a meeting, give yourself extra time. Grab a coffee, listen to the radio, maybe even enjoy the rare sight of a clear lane. It’s a temporary inconvenience for a longer‑term gain – at least that’s the narrative.
Stay tuned for updates. The Lagos State Government will announce any changes on its official channels. In the meantime, keep an eye on the road, respect the diversions, and remember: this eight‑month shuffle is just another chapter in Lagos’s never‑ending traffic saga.
