Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the continued clearance of the International Highway, stressing that the route must remain clean, safe and accessible because of its importance to Lagos, Badagry and other parts of the country.
Sanwo-Olu gave the directive on Saturday during an inspection tour of the highway corridor, where he interacted with traders, residents and other users of the area.
The governor said the road was too important to be allowed to become blocked by trading activities, roadside structures, vehicles or other forms of obstruction capable of slowing traffic and making movement difficult.
“This is an international highway. This road goes all the way to Badagry and connects to other places, so it has to be clear.
“We cannot allow people to obstruct the road. The road must remain clean and accessible to everybody coming from different places,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged traders and residents along the corridor to conduct their activities peacefully while complying with government regulations and environmental standards.
He said the state government understood the economic difficulties facing residents and would continue to support legitimate businesses, but stressed that commercial activities must be carried out in a manner that would not affect other road users.
“Go and do your business peacefully. You do yourself peacefully and everywhere will be peaceful.
“Things are tough everywhere, and that is why we have to ensure that people can continue to do their businesses in an orderly environment,” the governor said.
The inspection formed part of the state government’s efforts to monitor activities along major roads and ensure compliance with its environmental and traffic regulations.
The Lagos-Badagry corridor is one of the major transport routes in the state, serving communities and businesses along the western axis of Lagos and providing a major link towards Badagry and the border with the Republic of Benin.
The route also has regional importance because Badagry is located close to Nigeria’s border with Benin and is connected to the wider West African coastal transport network.
Because of its strategic position, traffic movement along the corridor affects residents, traders, commercial transport operators and businesses operating between Lagos and communities towards Badagry.
The governor therefore said the road could not be treated like an ordinary local street where commercial activities could be allowed to spill into traffic lanes.
He called on traders and other users of the highway to cooperate with government officials by keeping roadsides and adjoining areas clean and avoiding activities that could obstruct movement.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the importance of providing affordable and suitable spaces for traders, saying the government would continue to consider policies that would allow small businesses to operate without creating problems for other residents.
He said the government was aware that many residents depended on petty trading and other small businesses for their livelihood, particularly at a time when the cost of living had increased across the country.
However, he maintained that economic hardship should not be used as a reason to disregard regulations or occupy roadways meant for motorists and other road users.
According to him, the goal was to strike a balance between supporting businesses and protecting the rights of residents to use public roads and other facilities without obstruction.
The governor said his administration would continue to engage traders, residents and other stakeholders to find practical solutions to concerns around trading spaces, traffic management and environmental cleanliness.
He explained that the inspection was also aimed at allowing the government to assess conditions along the corridor directly and identify areas where intervention might be needed.
Sanwo-Olu said such inspections would enable government agencies to monitor compliance with regulations designed to improve safety, accessibility and environmental management.
He thanked residents and traders for the cooperation shown during his visit and commended the peaceful atmosphere observed throughout the inspection.
The governor urged them to maintain the same attitude and work with government officials to ensure that the highway remained safe and accessible.
The directive comes against the background of the Lagos State Government’s long-standing efforts to manage roadside trading, traffic congestion and environmental challenges across the state.
Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous state and one of the country’s main commercial centres, has continued to face pressure on its road infrastructure because of rapid population growth, heavy traffic and intense commercial activity.
Major roads often serve multiple purposes, with traders, pedestrians, motorists, transport operators and residents competing for limited space.
While roadside trading provides income for thousands of residents, authorities have repeatedly warned that the practice can create traffic bottlenecks, increase the risk of accidents and make roads difficult to maintain.
Government agencies have therefore continued to enforce rules against trading and other activities on major roads, although such enforcement has sometimes generated complaints from traders who say they need affordable spaces to operate.
Sanwo-Olu’s latest position appeared to recognise both sides of the issue, as he called for the highway to be kept free of obstruction while also promising continued attention to the needs of small businesses.
The governor said government would continue to work with stakeholders rather than rely only on enforcement, stressing the importance of peaceful engagement.
He urged traders and residents to support efforts to maintain cleanliness and order around the highway and adjoining communities.
According to him, a clean and accessible road would benefit not only motorists but also businesses and residents who depend on the corridor for their daily activities.
The governor also stressed that peaceful coexistence between residents, traders and government agencies was necessary for the area to develop.
He said the administration would sustain engagement with stakeholders to address concerns and promote an environment where residents could carry out their legitimate activities without unnecessary disruption.
The International Highway remains an important part of the state’s transport network, particularly because of its connection to Badagry and the wider West African region.
Sanwo-Olu’s directive is therefore expected to lead to closer monitoring of activities along the corridor, particularly those that affect traffic flow, pedestrian movement and environmental conditions.
The governor called on all users of the road to take responsibility for keeping the area orderly, saying government efforts could only succeed with the cooperation of residents.
He reiterated that while the government remained committed to supporting businesses and improving living conditions, public roads must be protected from activities that could undermine their purpose.
Sanwo-Olu urged residents to continue working with the authorities, saying cooperation remained essential to keeping the highway clean, safe and accessible to everyone.