The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary suspension of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Eti-Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway to reduce heavy traffic expected during the Christmas and New Year season. The contractors handling the project will vacate the site on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and return in mid-January 2026 to begin the second phase of the work.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by the state government’s press office. According to the statement, the break has been carefully planned to ease movement along the busy corridor, especially during the yuletide when traffic flow in Lagos usually becomes more challenging.
The government explained that the temporary suspension will help decongest the stretch from Admiralty Way Junction to the Ajah Jubilee Bridge, which is one of the most important sections of the Lekki–Epe Expressway. The expressway serves thousands of residents daily and connects several rapidly growing communities, including Lekki, Ajah, Sangotedo, and Epe. Over the years, this route has become one of the most congested highways in the state.
According to the state government, the break is aimed at ensuring that residents and motorists face fewer difficulties during the festive period, when many Lagos families travel, shop, host events, and experience longer driving times due to increased movement.
“The planned break is to ease traffic pressure caused by the ongoing works, reduce travel delays, preserve valuable man-hours, and ensure residents enjoy smoother movement during the yuletide season,” the statement said.
The announcement followed a joint inspection by key officials, including the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola; officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA); and representatives of the construction firm, China Railway Construction Company (CRCC).
During the inspection, the officials assessed the progress made so far and reviewed traffic patterns to determine whether the roadworks could continue without worsening congestion. The government concluded that suspending the work temporarily was the most practical solution for the festive season.
The Eti-Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria, serving as a vital route for commuters, businesses, and logistics companies. It connects central Lagos to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery axis, and various new residential developments. As population growth and new construction continue in the area, the road has faced increasing pressure.
Years of overuse have led to potholes, failed sections, and drainage challenges, causing long traffic jams and damaging vehicles. The Lagos State Government began rehabilitation of the expressway as part of a broader effort to upgrade critical infrastructure across the state.
The project includes resurfacing, drainage improvements, lane expansion in some sections, and redesign of traffic bottlenecks. However, roadworks in already congested areas often cause more discomfort for drivers until completion. This makes project timing important, especially during periods of high movement such as Christmas.
According to Commissioner Osiyemi, the government is fully aware of the heavy traffic that residents of Lekki, Ajah, and surrounding communities face daily. He noted that continuing the rehabilitation during December would worsen congestion and delay travel time for thousands of people.
“We apologise to road users for the inconveniences caused so far,” he said. “We are committed to balancing essential infrastructure upgrades with efficient traffic flow.”
He explained that the government had studied past traffic behaviour and found that the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year are among the busiest of the year. Shopping centres, beaches, event centres, churches, and offices around the Lekki-Ajah axis attract massive numbers of visitors during the festive season.
For this reason, the government considered it necessary to create more space for traffic to move freely by removing construction barriers, equipment, and reduced lanes.
The government has scheduled the resumption of work for the second phase in mid-January 2026, when normal traffic patterns usually return. January is considered a less stressful month for road users, making it easier for workers to proceed with rehabilitation without causing severe travel delays.
When work resumes, Commissioner Osiyemi said the government would introduce improved traffic management strategies. These include better LASTMA deployment, clearer diversions, road signs, and closer coordination with the contractors to reduce disruptions.
Traffic congestion along the Lekki–Epe corridor has been a major challenge for years. Residents often report spending two to five hours commuting between Victoria Island and Ajah during peak periods. The situation worsens during rainfall, festive seasons, or when multiple construction activities occur at the same time.
The government has been working on several road expansion projects in the Lekki axis, including the regional road, the upgrading of internal roads, and the first phase of the Lekki–Epe Expressway reconstruction, which was completed earlier.
However, residents have repeatedly appealed for better coordination of projects so that road repairs do not take place simultaneously across too many sections.
Despite the temporary challenges, the government has assured residents that the completed project will bring long-term benefits. It said the rehabilitation will improve road durability, reduce travel time, and support economic activities along the corridor.
“This administration will continue to invest in better infrastructure,” the government said, adding that the second phase of the project will be completed as quickly as possible once work resumes.
With contractors leaving the site, motorists are likely to enjoy smoother movement, especially around the Lekki Phase 1, Jakande, Ilasan, Ikota, and Ajah areas. This relief is expected to reduce stress for commuters, improve punctuality, and help businesses that depend on quick movement of goods and services.
LASTMA officials are expected to remain on the road to manage traffic during the break.
As Christmas approaches, the temporary break in roadworks may provide much-needed relief to millions of Lagos residents who use the expressway daily. The government has promised that the project will resume with better planning and improved traffic management structures.
