FG to Close Lagos’ Ijora Bridge April 27 for Major Repairs

By Achimi Muktar

Brace for traffic shakeups in Lagos—starting April 27, 2025, the Federal Government will completely shut down the Ijora Bridge to carry out critical structural repairs aimed at preserving one of the city’s busiest transport lifelines.

The closure, announced by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, will allow engineers to replace about 50 defective bearings beneath the bridge deck. These spring-like components are vital to the bridge’s stability, absorbing weight and movement—but years of wear have left them dangerously worn out.

“This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases. We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath,” Kesha said during an inspection of the site.

Though the Ijora Bridge—connecting Ijora Causeway to the Apapa port zone—is not in danger of collapse, Kesha warned that the structure has begun to vibrate due to bearing failure. Urgent intervention is needed to prevent further degradation.

Expect Major Diversions

To cushion the impact on traffic, especially for commuters and commercial vehicles headed to the Apapa axis, the Ministry of Works has rolled out diversion plans:

Light vehicles will be rerouted via the Seven Up Roundabout.

Heavy-duty trucks will follow a longer route through Costain and Iganmu.

While the initial deck-lifting phase demands full closure for safety, officials suggest later repair work, like asphalt replacement, could be scheduled on Sundays to reduce weekday chaos.

“This is the first major structural repair since the bridge was constructed,” Kesha emphasized. “We understand the inconvenience this closure will cause, but it’s a sacrifice we must make to ensure public safety and keep this vital corridor operational for years to come.”

Under directives from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Ministry is also ramping up public sensitization to prepare Lagosians for what lies ahead.

Bottom line: If you travel through Ijora or Apapa, now’s the time to rethink your route—because come April 27, the bridge will be off-limits.