Federal Government Orders Full Closure of Ijora Bridge for Urgent Repairs

The Federal Government has announced a full closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos starting April 27, to undergo “critical repair works.”

During a site inspection on Monday, Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works, revealed that the long-overdue repairs have reached their most demanding phase — lifting the bridge deck to replace defective bearings underneath.

“This bridge has been awarded for repairs in phases. We’re now at the final stage, which involves lifting the entire deck to replace the faulty bearings beneath,” Kesha said.

The Ijora Bridge, which connects Ijora Causeway to Apapa — home to Nigeria’s busiest seaports, plays a vital role in Lagos’ transport network. Kesha explained that approximately 50 defective bearings spread across three key sections will be replaced to stabilise the ageing structure.

While acknowledging the inevitable disruptions to traffic, Kesha emphasised the necessity of the closure, citing public safety as the top priority.

“We’ve received reports of intense vibrations while driving over the bridge — a sign that the support systems are severely weakened. It’s not in danger of collapsing, but urgent intervention is needed.”

To manage traffic, the Ministry of Works has mapped out diversion routes. Motorists coming from Ijora will be rerouted through Seven Up Roundabout, while heavy-duty vehicles will be diverted via Costain and Iganmu to access Apapa.

Kesha called for public patience and cooperation, reiterating that this is the first major repair on the bridge in decades.

“We want the public to understand that this is for their safety. With their cooperation, we can finish the work swiftly and restore the bridge to a much safer condition,” she said.

Future repair phases, such as asphalt replacement, may be done in stages and on Sundays to minimise disruption.

The announcement aligns with directives from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who has mandated extensive public awareness for any major bridge closures.