The Lagos to Ibadan Expressway is undoubtedly Nigeria’s busiest motorway and, without a doubt, one of the most improved. This road stands out as the best motorway I have traveled on, a far cry from the treacherous Lagos to Abeokuta route via Ota. That road is a nightmare for motorists—a bone-shattering ordeal. I can only hope the recently announced reconstruction project by the Federal Government alleviates the suffering of those forced to endure
From Berger, Arepo, Magboro, Ibafo, Mowe, and Redeem to the Saganmu turn-off, the road is smooth and excellent. There are unfinished overhead bridges before Ibafo and Mowe linking other abandoned routes from Akute and Ijoko. A flyover before Redeem is also needed. There are 2 underpasses in Berger and Punch.
We must thank successive governments for doing the needful—from Jonathan to Buhari and Tinubu. I’m sure the death count due to road accidents must have reduced following the completion of the works.
Continuous maintenance and repairs of this, the busiest motorway in Nigeria, are essential. I hope there is a maintenance contract for routine repairs and the clearing of dust and bushes from the median and verges regularly, as this will assist in its longevity.
There are a number of U-turn points after Ibafo that require clear marking and illumination. One thing that is also lacking is clear road signage. There is no indication of when you get to major towns such as Ibafo, Mowe, etc. Unless you’re looking for a bus, you wouldn’t know which bus stop you’re at.
In Lagos, bus stops and turnings are clearly demarcated, but in Ogun State, you’re on your own to find your way.
It’s outrageous that there are no signs indicating the turn-off to Saganmu, Ijebu Ode, Ore, or Abeokuta. If you don’t have a SatNav or a good driver, you may reach Ibadan before you realize you missed the road. If Abeokuta or Benin is your final destination, look out for the turning so you don’t miss the road.
With the soon-to-be-completed Iperu International Airport, we look forward to a road at Saganmu and good street lighting on the road to the airport from Saganmu junction.
The Saganmu turning needs repairs, but the Saganmu to Abeokuta road is very smooth and good, like the Lagos to Ibadan road. I recall that this was the longest stretch of motorway with street lights when first constructed by the OGD government, but now these lights are nowhere to be seen—just abandoned, stolen, or removed.
Ogun State doesn’t have a functioning “Light Up Ogun State” policy to match “Light Up Lagos” and “Light Up Oyo.” What is happening with closer regional cooperation and synergy under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) initiative? So much for continuity and regional integration—it’s non-existent in the Southwest apart from Amotekun.
At Saganmu there is a turning to Papa that leads to Ilaro & Idiroko International border via the back of Mowe past Olorunshogo gas turbine & a small dam on Ogun river. However, the road is still in a very deplorable state, just as much as the intrastate roads in Ogun State.
The cement trucks from Lafarge & Dangote Cement Factories have destroyed that road, which has remained abandoned. If Fed Govt don’t want to fix Fed Roads or lacks the funds, States should step in, as the cost to the state & country in lost man hours, etc is astronomical in the N100 billion every year
Ogun State, the Gateway State, has raw materials in abundance for good road construction & maintenance. i.e., limestone for cement, granite for aggregate, sand, laterite, & bitumen in Ogun East for asphalt.
Anyone who has been out of Nigeria for the past 2-3 years will notice the number of new factories and buildings as well as commercial activity along this corridor. It is indeed very significant, yet some say nothing good is happening in Nigeria.
I’m back in Abeokuta, my home town, and back to my farm to see how far they have gone. We will commence clearing and keep you updated. Naija go Betta
What’s your view? Please share, thanks Femi Oke Betta9ja
