President Bola Tinubu directed the expansion and rebuilding of Section One of the Lagos-Sagamu Motorway and the Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway.

President Tinubu said during the flag-off event in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Saturday that the project, which is anticipated to be finished in 24 months, will include underpasses at Kara, Wawa, Magboro, and Arepo.

Flyover bridges will also be built at Kilometre 37 in Makun, next to Sagamu, and Kilometre 16, close to the Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM).

On Saturday, Mr. Lekan Adeniran, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s chief press secretary, sent media with a statement that included this information.

The president also revealed plans to construct pedestrian bridges at Redemption Camp, Arepo, Magboro, NASFAT, and Deeper Life.

To improve road safety, he also declared the flag-off of the final 60 kilometres of the Sagamu-Benin Motorway, which runs from the Sagamu Interchange to Itele.

Represented by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, the president highlighted the strategic importance of the route as Nigeria’s busiest roadway, acting as a critical connection between Lagos, the nation’s commercial metropolis, and 17 southern states.

The Lagos-Ibadan Motorway, which connects Lagos to the rest of the nation, is Nigeria’s busiest route and a gateway to the hinterland, he stated.

“The Federal Government is dedicated to making the most of our natural resources by connecting rural roads to commercial hubs, industrial corridors, and urban centres.” These strategic efforts are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and our dedication to restoring, developing, and modernising the nation’s highways, railroads, and airports—all of which are vital to its economic well-being.

Road infrastructure is essential to transportation, economic growth, and general quality of life, President Tinubu emphasised. But he bemoaned the expressway’s long-term neglect, which has led to many deaths because of its bad state.

He went on to say that extending and improving the motorway will shorten travel times, boost production and efficiency, increase safety, and make doing business in Nigeria easier.

The president said that the Renewed Hope Agenda’s dedication to making sure Nigeria’s road networks satisfy international standards and promote industrial and economic growth was further evidenced by the inclusion of the Sagamu-Ore segment in this phase.

“We have Section Two, Phase Two in the Lagos-Ibadan project,” revealed Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works. Phase Two, which was first given to Julius Berger, includes some of what we are doing now. However, we were forced to end the contract after failing to settle pricing disputes.

We are starting work on the Magboro, Warewa, Arepo, Sagamu, and Iperu underpasses today. Together, they will be 12 kilometres long by two lanes, or 24 kilometres.

“As part of the Sagamu-Ore road, the next phase of the project will span an additional 48 kilometres with two lanes from Iperu to Ijebu-Ode.”

The Minister ordered that contractors who do not have an Advanced Payment Guarantee certificate should not be paid.

He stressed that the contractor’s Performance Bond must be valid before any disbursement, and the APG must be valid at the time of payment.

Hon. Akin Alabi, the chairman of the House Committee on Works, promised that the House would work with the Ministry to guarantee that Nigerians would profit from a working road system.

He emphasised that the initiative will benefit Nigeria’s economy and goes beyond Ogun State.

Engr. Ade Akinsanya, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Ogun State, thanked the federal government for incorporating pedestrian bridges into the project.

He promised that to guarantee the project’s early completion, the state administration would collaborate closely with federal authorities and contractors.

Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland, pleaded with the federal government to build two flyovers at the intersection of the police division and Sagamu.

In order to respond to crises, he also advocated for the construction of a fire station alongside the motorway.

Later, on behalf of President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun conducted the project’s formal flag-off.