The Traffic

Lagos Govt Rushes to Fix Open Manhole After Viral Outcry

The Lagos State Government has moved to cover a dangerous open manhole along the busy Ikeja airport corridor after a viral video sparked outrage and drew attention to the hazard.

The intervention came less than 24 hours after broadcast journalist Deji Badmus erected a makeshift billboard inside the gaping hole, warning Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the spot was a “death trap.”

Badmus, who shared the video on Saturday, said he narrowly escaped an accident at the site.

“That manhole has been open for about three months. I almost had an accident here, and just days ago, there was a terrible crash. Several cars have already run into it. It’s shocking that this was left like this on a road that connects both the international and local airports,” he said.

By Sunday morning, officials of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) and the drainage department were on site, covering the hole.

Speaking during the inspection, Olufemi Daramola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, said the government swung into action overnight.

“I want to thank the good Samaritan who raised the alarm. Immediately it was brought up, we mobilised our teams — Public Works, drainage, and the General Manager have all been here, and work is ongoing,” Daramola said.

He cautioned against vandalism, blaming road abuse for many of the recurring hazards.

“We’ve seen similar vandalisation at the Ogudu bridge. We will continue to respond, but citizens must also ‘see something, say something’.”

Public pressure and policy gaps

The incident has reignited debate over Lagos’ struggle with vandalism and theft of manhole covers. In January, the State House of Assembly warned that scavengers were endangering lives and urged tougher enforcement and whistle-blowing mechanisms.

In response, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) began installing treated wooden covers at Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) laybys to deter theft, since they have no scrap value. But across the city, exposed drains and missing covers remain common hazards.

After officials covered the Ikeja manhole, Badmus welcomed the swift response but issued a wider challenge:

“This is the kind of immediate response we expect. But I hope they will also fix the many other open manholes across the city.”

From power lines to pipelines, Lagos’ war with infrastructure vandalism shows no signs of ending. For now, civic action — and the occasional viral video — seems to be the fastest route to government action.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna