To ease the intense traffic congestion in Lagos, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge on Victoria Island.
The bridge, which had been closed since April 1, 2025, for scheduled maintenance and rehabilitation, had caused major disruptions and delays for commuters.
Confirming the directive, Lagos Federal Controller of Works, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, noted that her team is working round the clock to implement temporary repairs to make the bridge passable. Despite damage sustained during initial repair works, she expressed hope that the bridge would be reopened to traffic soon.
“We are putting in remedial measures to allow vehicle movement because some parts of the bridge have already been broken,” she said. “We’re working overnight and hoping to open it by tomorrow, though we can’t confirm yet.”
The decision to reopen the bridge comes amid mounting frustration from commuters, who have faced extreme delays—made worse by early morning rainfall. A commercial driver lamented the loss of income due to the delay, saying he had only completed two trips instead of his usual four by mid-morning. Another commuter, Jolade, said she left Epe at 6 a.m. but didn’t reach work until 1 p.m., while Anita reported being stranded on Falomo Bridge for over three hours.
The Ministry of Works has apologized for the inconvenience and urged public patience and cooperation. Temporary measures are being taken to make the bridge motorable, while full repairs are still scheduled to be completed by the end of May 2025. Reopening the bridge is expected to ease congestion across Victoria Island and Ikoyi, offering some relief to long-suffering commuters.
