Residents, drivers, and commuters in Agege and Igando-Ikotun heaved a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally inaugurated the upgraded Abaranje Road in Alimosho and unveiled the rehabilitated Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road (formerly Dopemu Road) in Agege.
The 3.86-kilometre Abaranje Road, located in the densely populated Ikotun-Igando LCDA, had long posed serious challenges due to persistent flooding, erosion, and near impassability. Now rebuilt to modern standards, it connects Abaranje to Igando via the LASU-Iba Road, easing access and improving travel time.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the official opening, said the road projects were part of his administration’s broader agenda to decentralise development, empower communities, and improve Lagosians’ daily lives.
“This is about more than roads. It’s about opportunities, access, and dignity,” he said. “We are taking infrastructure to every corner of the state—no community is too remote or too small.”
The governor highlighted other projects completed across Alimosho, such as Akesan-Obadore Road, Ishefun-Camp Davies Road with Jetty, Lagos-Ogun Boundary Road (Phase 2), Agric Access Road, and Isuti Road. He also announced that 28 additional road projects are underway across the area, while palliative works and regular maintenance continue statewide.
Strategic Interventions
At the Agege end, the rehabilitated Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road in Dopemu was handled by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC). The governor praised the agency for its renewed capacity and swift project delivery, calling it a testament to government investment in in-house expertise.
“These projects are proof that our work is not about rhetoric,” he stated. “It is about execution. Our plans are backed by action—and the result is visible.”
Before the Reconstruction
The Special Adviser on Infrastructure, who supervised the projects, explained that Abaranje Road had been a nightmare for years—narrow, waterlogged, and fragmented. The lack of drainage and a swelling population made commuting difficult and dangerous.
Residents Recount Daily Struggles
Funmilayo Daniel, a resident, expressed joy:
“This is a solid road. Before, people were afraid to visit. Now, it’s easier and safer.”
Idowu Olaiya, a landlord, said:
“Going out was a struggle. A 3-minute drive took 30 minutes. I stopped using my car—it made life miserable.”
Joseph Njoku, a businessman, lamented previous high transport costs:
“It cost nearly ₦2,000 to get from Ikotun to my house within the same area. Motorcycles, tricycles, even buses wouldn’t pass.”
Adama Remember, a tricyclist, noted:
“Whatever we earned, we used to fix our Marwa. The road was damaging our vehicles.”
Obinna Ochaya, another resident, remarked:
“Now, the road is smooth and fast. It feels like a completely new place. We thank the governor.”
With these road inaugurations, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development, urban renewal, and people-centered governance—sending a strong message that no community in Lagos will be left behind.