Six Months After Commissioning, Opebi–Ojota Link Bridge Remains Inaccessible to Motorists

Six months after its commissioning, the Opebi–Ojota Link Bridge in Lagos State remains inaccessible to motorists, raising questions about project completion, public spending and the delivery of promised infrastructure benefits.

The 5.04-kilometre project was commissioned on April 8, 2026, during activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Lagos. It was designed to improve connectivity between Opebi, Mende, Maryland and Ojota, while reducing congestion on surrounding roads.

However, motorists have continued to face restrictions at the bridge, with barricades preventing access despite the commissioning ceremony.

Reports by The Guardian, PUNCH and The Nation have documented the prolonged closure, with construction activities and outstanding infrastructure works cited as reasons the road has not been fully opened to the public.

Sanwo-Olu explains delay

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained in September that contractors were still required to complete certain aspects of the project.

According to a report by Premium Times, the governor said the government did not want to open the bridge only to close it again when heavy cranes arrived to carry out the remaining work.

He added that the contractors had assured the government that the outstanding work would be completed within two weeks. However, the assurance raised expectations that the bridge would soon become operational.

Commuters yet to enjoy promised benefits

The continued closure means motorists are still unable to fully benefit from the alternative route intended to ease movement between Opebi, Maryland, Mende and Ojota.

Residents and commuters who spoke to journalists expressed frustration that a project formally commissioned months earlier remained unavailable for regular use.

The delay has also renewed concerns about the practice of commissioning public infrastructure before all the necessary works have been completed.

Questions over project delivery

The controversy raises important questions about the criteria used to declare public infrastructure ready for commissioning, the monitoring of contractors and the communication of revised completion timelines.

While the Lagos State Government has cited outstanding construction and traffic-management works, residents need clear information on the remaining tasks and a definite date for the bridge’s opening.

Ultimately, the value of the project will be measured not by the commissioning ceremony but by its ability to improve transportation, reduce travel time and ease the daily burden on Lagos motorists.

Until the bridge is fully accessible, the benefits promised to commuters along the corridor will remain largely unrealised.