Lagos Government Opens New Side of AFA Bridge in Ikorodu

The Lagos State Government has opened the inbound side of the AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road in Ikorodu. This new opening will make it easier for drivers who have been facing flooding and bad conditions at the old crossing.

On Wednesday, Punch Newspaper reported this opening during an inspection of road and bridge projects in Ikorodu and Kosofe. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, was there, along with Olutokunbo Oyenuga, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Infrastructure, and other officials.

Mr Daramola mentioned that the new inbound lane will let drivers use the elevated part of the bridge while work continues on the outbound side. "There’s good progress on the bridge works. I’m happy to tell you that the inbound section of AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road has been opened to traffic. Commuters can now safely use this section of the bridge. It’s bye to driving through the floodplain," he said on Monday.

This opening should help solve a big problem along the Agric-Isawo corridor. Flooding has often caused issues for drivers.

In August 2025, floods from the Afa River covered parts of the old crossing, trapping motorists. Some pedestrians even had to use makeshift wooden stairs to reach the elevated bridge.

This flooding has been a long-term problem. In 2018, residents told The Nation that heavy rains often made parts of the Agric-Isawo-Arepo Road hard to pass. Commuters had to wade through water or pay extra to get through flooded areas.

Mr Daramola urged drivers to follow temporary traffic rules, keep to speed limits, and avoid reckless driving while bridge work is ongoing. He also told drivers to stay away from unauthorized bus stops and loading areas around the bridge. Pedestrians were advised to use designated walkways and stay clear of construction zones.

For residents, this opening brings relief after years of struggling with the difficult crossing. The General Secretary of the CDC Ikorodu West LCDA Road Committee, Abiodun Sunday, said that residents had waited a long time for this improvement.

"After years of patience, endurance and inconvenience, relief is finally here. No more wallowing through floodwater. No more climbing the staircase to get to the bridge deck," Mr Sunday said.

The Baale of Itowolo, Sikiru Aregbeshola, also praised the government for fixing the Itowolo Bridge, noting that its poor state had long been a worry for residents.

Later, the inspection team visited the Maidan-Patele Link Bridge and Approach Roads at Mile 12. Residents there believed this project would make it easier to access their communities.

This project came after the old Maidan pedestrian bridge collapsed during heavy rain in July 2022. After that, nearby residents had to use boats to cross the area.

Mr Daramola called on residents to take care of the new infrastructure and ensure the roads and bridges are well maintained. "Let’s all take possession of the road. Let’s manage it well. It’s taxpayers’ money that is used to provide it," he said.