News From Nigeria
PRESS RELEASE
The Lagos State Government has released a set of Cybersecurity Guidelines, a strategic framework designed to enhance digital safety for businesses, public institutions, and residents.
This development represents another decisive step in Lagos’ mission to become a SMART, secure, and globally competitive digital hub. As Africa’s fastest-growing technology ecosystem – home to thousands of enterprises – Lagos faces increasing exposure to cyber risks. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) estimates that Nigeria loses over $500 million (approximately ₦250 billion) annually to cybercrime, underscoring the urgency for stronger, coordinated security measures.
The guidelines note that while Lagos is rapidly evolving into a SMART City, this progress brings heightened vulnerability to cyber threats. The newly issued guidelines, available at https://lagosstate.gov.ng/cybersecguide, outline clear, practical, and scalable cybersecurity best practices for small businesses, medium and large enterprises, and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
They are aligned with key national frameworks, including the Cybercrime Act (2024), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023), and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (2021).
The document emphasised that these recommendations are not regulatory mandates but tools designed to empower stakeholders with practical, context-specific guidance.
Breaking the news, the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a secure digital environment that promotes innovation, investment, and public trust. The guidelines further strengthen Lagos State’s leadership in advancing digital trust and building a resilient, future-ready digital economy.
The Government praised the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Council, chaired by Prof. Fene Osakwe, for its strategic leadership and technical expertise in developing the framework. Special recognition was also extended to the Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tubosun Alake whose vision and support were instrumental in driving this initiative.
The release of these guidelines underscores Lagos State’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding digital assets, enhancing public-private collaboration, and ensuring that every organisation – from sole proprietorships to multinational corporations – can operate confidently in a secure digital environment. As the document highlights, A cybersecure Lagos is essential for sustaining its position as one of the most dynamic and globally competitive tech hubs of the 21st century.
The Lagos State Government will continue to refine and expand the guidelines to address emerging threats and evolving technologies, ensuring that cybersecurity remains a foundational pillar of the State’s digital transformation.
Gbenga Omotoso
Commissioner, Information & Strategy,
Lagos State.
The state lawmaker representing Agatu state constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, has raised the alarm that conducting 2027 general elections in the local government may be difficult unless government decisively tackles the incessant attacks on the people of the area.
Edo spoke with journalists in Makurdi while decrying the insecurity in the local government.
He noted that for the past four years, several communities in the council had been deserted due to recurring fulani herdsmen attacks.
He said, “As I speak to you now, in Obagaji (headquarters of Agatu) for instance, we have deployment of Air Force, soldiers, special police squad and Civil Defense personnel.
“Despite the presence of these security agents, all the people from hinterlands have relocated to the LG headquarters in Obagaji.
“Some of those villages in the hinterland have been deserted, the people can no longer engage in farming and fishing because those are the two sources of livelihoods in the council.
He added, “My fear is that if this attack continues unchecked it will be difficult for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the 2027 general elections in the areas, because they are not accessible right now.
Edoh lamented that all basic amenities in the affected communities such as schools, markets and primary healthcare centers have been destroyed by the attackers.
The lawmaker however lauded the directive of the state governor, Hyacinth Alia directing the security agents to flush out criminal elements in the forest that are terrorising the people of the local government.
He expressed optimism that if the governor’s directive is diligently carried out, it will help reduce the attack and allow the people to return to their ancestral homes.
Edoh also appealed to both federal and state governments to include the local government in the ongoing housing scheme for internally displaced persons to help them return homes and start a new life.
It will be recalled that several IDPS camped in Obagaji few weeks ago thronged out in their numbers to protest the pains and agony of not being able to return to their ancestral homes due to incessant attacks on their communities.
A youth group, The Itsekiri Front, on Sunday applauded the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Senatorial Candidate in Delta South, Dr. Austin Orette for inspiring the people with fresh hopes and vigour.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette represents the vision of the New Delta South Senatorial District. He will serve the good people of the district to the best of his power’’
The group also described the NDC candidate as a man of stainless character, a great humanist and champion of liberty.
‘’The firmness and energy of Dr. Austin Orette have been admirable’’
In a statement in Warri, the group said the Delta South Senatorial race should be the exclusive preserve of serious minds.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette is the best hope for the development of the district’’
The group gave a detailed insight into the vision and mission as well as blueprint for the development of Delta South senatorial district.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette is an outstanding voice in the country. He is zealous in our cause. We trust him. He will promote the interests of the Itsekiri Nation, build a better life for the people, boost economic growth and create employment. He will also act as is best for the safety and dignity of all’’
The statement issued by the spokesman of Itsekiri Front, Engineer Temisanren Fregene, expressed thanks to Isoko women and Ijaw leaders for unanimously supporting Orette’s senatorial bid.
The statement highlighted Orette’s ideology, charisma, faith for the progress of humanity and liberation of the oppressed people.
‘’We have been influenced by Dr. Austin Orette’s agenda and his dream of building a fair Delta South with an equitable distribution of national wealth.
The statement also emphasized his personality, political action and ethical teaching.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette’s learning, reputation, and exposure make us think him well qualified for the task he wishes to undertake – that of representing Delta South in the National Assembly’’
PRESS RELEASE
•‘Young people must be intentionally guided through leadership’ — Shettima
•VP Office, Lateef Jakande Academy host National Dialogue on Leadership
What is the place of young people in leadership and development? A summit held at the State House Banquet Hall, the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, examined key contemporary factors influencing the youth’s attitude towards leadership roles.
Vice President Kashim Shettima posited that an institutionalised leadership approach should be cultivated by a nation seeking to convert the strength of its young population into national capacity.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said whether or not young people mattered in leadership was not longer a subject of debate. He asked if the leaders had started to build systems, institutions and infrastructure required to channel the youth energy for national transformation.
These thoughts set the stage for discussion panels at the 2026 Abuja Dialogue organised by the Office of the Vice President and Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), an agency of Lagos State Government.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, led various youth groups and young leaders across the country to the event with the theme: “Scaling Excellence: Youth Leadership as Strategic Infrastructure for National Transformation”.
Also in attendance were members of the Lagos State Executive Council, members of the body of Permanent Secretary in Lagos, led by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, and Heads of various agencies, Heads of Federal Government’s parastatals, business leaders, development experts, members of academia and civil society.
According to the Vice President, youth leadership should not be understood as a ceremonial handover. Shettima said young people should be raised in reliable pipeline of leadership through a structured process that would prepare, entrust, integrate and support them within the institutions shaping the nation’s future.
Without intentionally guiding young people through leadership, Shettima warned that the nation would be left to inherit fragility. He said it would be futile effort to prepare young people for yesterday and expect them to govern tomorrow. By building with intention, Shettima said the nation would secure continuity.
The Vice President said: “What is required is a forward-looking architecture of leadership development, one that prepares young people not only to function within existing systems, but also to improve them. That is how societies endure. Not by preserving institutions as relics, but by renewing them through capable hands and clear minds. The demands placed on leaders are changing with every shift in technology, finance, governance, and public expectations. We cannot prepare young Nigerians for yesterday and expect them to govern tomorrow.
“The government increasingly understands that national progress cannot be sustained without a reliable pipeline of leadership capacity across institutions. This is why the work of integrating young people into governance processes must be deliberate and consistent. It is a long-term investment. It demands cooperation between the classroom and the workplace, between public institutions and private enterprise, between mentorship and responsibility. It also demands standards.”
Shettima noted that leadership would lose its meaning when standards disappeared, pointing out that once expectations were lowered, institutions would erode from within.
The Vice President emphasised that today’s leaders must be intentional in equipping young people with progressive values, competencies, discipline, ethical clarity, intellectual rigour and emotional steadiness if the nation was serious about preparing the next generation.
“Leadership is not defined by age. It is defined by readiness to bear consequences, to choose the long view over easy applause, and to place the common good above private comfort. That is why this conversation matters. The future of Nigeria will not be decided by circumstance alone. It will be determined by the quality of the decisions we make and the consistency with which we implement them,” Shettima said.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State Government had consistently prioritised harnessing the energy and intellect of its over 15 million youth population, emphasising that young people were not merely a footnote in his administration’s development plans but a centerpiece of his Government’s policies and programmes.
The Governor said investment in human infrastructure remained the most crucial action for a nation’s long term success. He said budgeting for roads, bridges, and rail must be balanced by investment in the people that would sustain and govern them.
Sanwo-Olu said: “In Lagos, we invest billions in roads, bridges, rail systems, and waterways. We budget for power, for housing, for healthcare. No one questions the wisdom of these investments, because the returns are visible and the consequences of neglect are obvious.
“Without competent, ethical, and visionary leaders, every road we build will deteriorate, every institution we establish will atrophy, and every policy we design will fail in implementation. This is why Lagos treats leadership development not as social welfare, but as a strategic pillar of governance that is as critical as any physical infrastructure we have ever commissioned.”
What would happen if a nation fails to equip young people with requisite leadership skills? Sanwo-Olu said there would be a cycle of economic and social deficits that would be far more expensive to fix than they could prevent. This, he said, would bring about brain drain that could deplete the nation’s talent pool, while enriching other nations.
The Governor said the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy was created to bridge the critical gaps in leadership ecosystem.
He said the Academy was not merely a fellowship programme, but also a talent incubator raising young leaders through structured programmes offering them real public sector immersion, cross-sector learning, policy exposure, mentorship from seasoned leaders, and the opportunity to execute projects that address real societal challenges.
LJLA Executive Secretary, Mrs Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, explained that the dialogue was organised to discuss the ongoing challenges hindering the transition of leadership to the youth.
A nation striving for development and prosperity through progressive governance and robust institutions must be deliberate in identifying, nurturing its future leaders and positioning them effectively.
“It is believed leadership is not a moment. It is a process of formation that requires exposure, mentoring, structuring, accountability and practical experience. It requires young people to be integrated into the environments where decisions are made, where policy is shaped, where trade-offs are navigated, and where public service becomes real. Leadership is not learned only in classrooms; it is learned in systems,” Agbaje-Okunade said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
14 APRIL 2026
Ijaw politicians were on Wednesday urged to put aside pride, pettiness and partisanship.
They were also advised to work with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to strengthen democracy in Nigeria and effective government in the South-South geo-political zone.
‘’The Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC) is gathering momentum. It is the fastest growing party in the country. It will create new infrastructure, develop local industries and provide a buoyant economy’’
The position of the Ijaw Professionals in Nigeria (IPIN) was encapsulated in a statement titled: A Path to Progress in 2027.
The group called for political unity in order for Ijaw politicians to exploit their pivotal position in the 2027 elections.
The highly placed professionals expressed admiration for Delta South NDC Senatorial District Candidate, Dr. Austin Orette, for his sophisticated intelligence, leadership capacity, vision and plans for the district.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette is a symbol of all that is good. He will widen the circle of opportunity, build an ever more progressive district rooted in industry and technology and ensure a clean environment’’
They also expressed their commitment to instill in the Ijaw politicians what they described as critical self-consciousness which would lead to the emergence of NDC as the ruling party in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River.
‘’We will campaign hard against other parties in Ijaw land. Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC) will act as the catalyst of development and unity’’’
The position was presented to newsmen by the persuasive and vivid spokesman for the Ijaw United Front (IUF), Dr. Pere Sodienye.
The Ijaw professionals urged the Delta South electorate to evaluate the current senator and compare his performances with the promises of Dr. Austin Orette.
‘’The good people of Delta South want a change. Dr. Austin Orette will promote a strategy of rapid industrialization in Delta South Senatorial District’’
The stage is set for the second anniversary of Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club.
‘’Necessary preparations, logistical arrangements and planning have been completed for the second anniversary and this year’s international golf tournament in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area’’
In a statement Friday afternoon, Chairman of Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club, Hon. Felix Aganbi, announced prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, Alfred Temile, Lady Dee, Awaritse Nigeria Limited, Sir Thomas Agboifo, Engineer Solomon Arharhire, Rosa Vosa, EMMPPEK Farms and Dr Uju Nwobi as prime promoters of this year’s international golf competition.
The Canaan Land Golf & Country Club second anniversary celebration scheduled for May 8 to May 9, 2026 will feature a diverse range of activities beyond golf:
‘’An 18-hole international golf tournament featuring professional, amateur, and international players, competitions and recreational matches for badminton, table tennis, and darts, a boat cruise, networking sessions for investors, award presentations, a give-back program at the Christiana Aganbi Sickbay offering eye care and general health checkups, presentation of the “Canaan Land Smart City and new estate developments within the resort’’ the statement said.
The statement highlighted prize money for the golf tournament.
‘’There will be payout for grabs during the Koko international golf tournament’’
It also emphasized the expanded facilities of the club over the last two years.
‘’A professional 18-hole golf course, the Khashoggi Restaurant overlooking a lakeside, Chris Castle Apartments for on-site accommodation, a smart hall for indoor activities and gazebos for social gatherings’’.
ISOKO WOMEN INSIST ON AUSTIN ORETTE
Isoko women on Sunday discussed the process of realizing a better Delta South, with an exciting statement in support of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial hopeful, Dr. Austin Orette.
‘’We have a huge task ahead. The 2027 election in Delta South Senatorial District is another occasion to prove to ourselves that we can do it. We need to start planning for NDC electoral success’’.
They also rebuked those canvassing for power shift in strong language.
Rising from a meeting on Sunday, the women highlighted Orette’s devotion to moral purity, capacity for honesty and the critical need to work together in view of moving the senatorial district to the next level.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette is an exceptional leader and a protector of the pillars of justice, democracy and integrity. He will create and sustain the conditions for individual development”
The Chairperson of Isoko Women United Group (IWUG), Mrs. Elizabeth Oghenemaro disclosed to reporters shortly after the meeting in Oleh that they had gone far in their discussion with prominent politicians in Delta State on the need for Orette to replace a disappointing lawmaker in 2027.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette has political credibility and strong network across the world. He will promote trade, develop infrastructure and ensure security”
The women underscored Orette’s competence, commitment to the welfare of the people, principles of order and justice and the courage in pursuing issues of interest to the people of Delta South Senatorial District.
‘’The renowned physician is hardworking, honest, suave and accommodating. He is in the best position to serve the senatorial district’’
The women applauded Orette for promoting the interest of the oil rich district.
‘’What is happening in the district mirrors a situation of desperation of some individuals and groups to take advantage of falsehood to misguide the good people of the district as well as score cheap political goals’’
They urged Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko and Urhobo leaders not to devote time, energy and resources in championing the aspiration of a man who has been a perpetual bench warmer in the National Assembly.
‘’Four years of wasted opportunities are enough. The ego of the disappointing lawmaker will be deflated. He should await the people’s dirge in 2027’’ the women said.
The women emphasized legislative output, empowerment, grassroots development and efforts in attracting development projects and infrastructure to the district.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette will be active in the senate. He will contribute to lawmaking, debates and committee activities. He will also expand the prosperity of the good people of Delta South Senatorial District’’
INVESTORS, FAMOUS SPORTS PERSONALITIES, OTHERS GATHER IN DELTA STATE AS CANAANLAND COUNTRY CLUB BEGINS SECOND ANNIVERSARY
The CanaanLand Golf Course and Country Club on Saturday announced a series of activities to mark its second anniversary celebration.
‘’A significant 18-hole golf tournament featuring professional and amateur players as well as international talent will begin on Friday, May 8 and end on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Koko Town, Warri North Local Government Area’’.
The Chairman of CanaanLand Golf Course and Country Club, Honourable Felix Aganbi, in a statement in Benin highlighted investment opportunities in Delta State, the growth of golf in Nigeria, youth development, warm and inclusive culture and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
‘’The second anniversary of CanaanLand Golf & Country Club will bring together business leaders, corporate stakeholders, public office holders, community leaders, sportsmen and women from within and outside the country’’.
Tagged ‘’Inclusive and remarkable celebration’’ Aganbi emphasized how the club transformed golf from an exclusive sport in the Niger Delta into a more widely embraced recreation activity.
He highlighted two years of steady, significant growth, expansion of the club’s facilities, investment in junior and academy programmes, promotion of amateur and recreational golf and real estate development in Koko. .
The business mogul also announced side sports such as table tennis, badminton and darts, a give-back programme focusing on eye care and full health checkups at the Christiana Aganbi Sickbay, anniversary meeting, networking opportunities for local and foreign investors, boat cruise, refreshment and award presentation as major activities of the second anniversary of CanaanLand Golf Course and Country Club.
The statement stressed on improved infrastructure and rising participation of women and youth.
‘’An 18-Hole Golf Course, clubhouse and recreational areas, Khashoggi Restaurant (Lakeside Dining Experience), Gazebos for relaxation and social gatherings, smart hall for events and indoor activities, Chris Castle Apartments for Accommodation, Christiana Aganbi Sickbay, badminton court and table tennis are key facilities of the CanaanLand Golf Course and Country Club’’ the statement added.
•Sanwo-Olu delivers mega school projects, Agro food hub in President’s Day-2 visit
A comprehensive regeneration and upgrade of Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, a densely populated Lagos suburb, by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is reminiscent of a rebirth of education in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The cluster of 36 public schools got its facilities rehabilitated in an infrastructure renewal programme supervised by the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS).
The modernised schools, sighted on 11.73 hectares, were part of the mega projects inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his second day visit to Lagos, his home state.
The school complex was commissioned along with Maracana Stadium, comprising 19 mini-football pitches built side by side close to the complex.
Besides, the President virtually commissioned the Fresh Food Hub built by Sanwo-Olu in Abijo, Ajah area of Eti Osa.
The iconic projects were unveiled by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who represented President Tinubu at the event.
It was a moment of uncontrolled excitement for pupils of the 36 schools in the complex. They trooped out to welcome Sanwo-Olu and Akpabio, clad in their respective uniforms.
Also at the event were the Minister for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Josephine Piyo, and members of the National Assembly.
Tinubu said the scale of regeneration of Tolu Schools Complex by the Sanwo-Olu government, was “exceptional and remarkable”, stressing that the intervention reflected the vision, planning and commitment of the Governor to improve the lives of young citizens.
The accomplishment, the President said, demonstrated what could be achieved with bold and focused leadership, commending Sanwo-Olu and his team for delivering a project that would serve tens of thousands of students within a school environment.
He said: “The remarkable scale and significance of Tolu Schools Complex regeneration is truly exceptional. The successful upgrade of such a large and complex educational facility is highly commendable. This reflects the vision, planning and very clear commitment to improving the lives of our young citizens. Sanwo-Olu and his team deserve commendation for delivering a project of this magnitude and for demonstrating what is possible when leadership is bold and focused.
“We must continue to invest in education, not just as a social service but as driver of economic growth and national development. When we equip our children with knowledge and skills, we prepare them to contribute meaningfully to society and compete in a changing world. This is an investment in the strength and progress of not just our State but the country. No nation can rise above the quality of its human capital. When we give our young people access to quality education, the right skills and supportive environment, we are preparing them not just for today, but for the future we all desire.”
Through his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, Tinubu said he had designed programmes that would ensure every child had access to quality care learning and equipped with practical skills to compete and thrive in the emerging modern economy.
By strengthening human capital development, the President said a society would build a workforce capable of driving innovation, creating jobs and sustaining national growth. Tinubu said education policies must focus on boosting capacity and ensuring schools produce thinkers, problem solvers and innovators that will drive the nation’s economy forward.
“Projects like these show what is possible when leadership is focused and deliberate. This is how we turn opportunities to progress, potential into prosperity for all Nigerians. Lagos is leading in this direction,” the President said.
While unveiling the Mid-Level Fresh Food Hub in Abijo in virtual commissioning, the President said the food sustainability intervention delivered by Governor Sanwo-Olu was in alignment with his administration’s aggressive agricultural production programmes. He said the facility would simplify the complex logistical process that entails transporting of farm produce to the market for consumption.
Sanwo-Olu said the Tolu Schools complex commissioning represented a beacon of hope and a message of reassurance to children living in Ajegunle, pointing out that the mega school project showed the Government did not neglect them.
The Governor said the story of Tolu Schools Complex started in 1981 during the Mass Education Policy of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration to provide accessible education in Ajegunle. He said the Government reclaimed land from the Lagos lagoon to build the complex, which started two pioneer schools — Unity and Olodi Apapa Secondary Schools.
The complex was expanded by the successive military administrations, after which a major milestone was recorded during the administration of the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who added Bola Ige Millennium Secondary School.
The complex’s condition deteriorated due to a growing pupil population. Classrooms originally designed for 35 students were crammed with over 100 pupils and the perimeter fencing was damaged by floodwater.
In response, Sanwo-Olu initiated a regeneration project for the complex. This involved giving all 36 schools in the cluster a complete infrastructural makeover.
The Governor said: “We took a clear and deliberate decision to regenerate this historic complex completely and courageously. What we are commissioning today is not a facelift or a cosmetic intervention. It is a full re-imagination of what public education should look like in a modern African city. We have transformed the Tolu Schools Complex into the largest integrated educational community in West Africa, providing a complete educational ladder from foundation to the threshold of higher learning.
“To tackle overcrowding and create a more conducive learning environment, we have delivered 12 new classroom blocks, each containing 18 classrooms. In addition, 24 existing school buildings have been comprehensively rehabilitated, restoring them into safe, habitable and inspiring spaces for teaching and learning. We also built a four-storey vocational and skills acquisition centre with dedicated workshops designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and practical competence.”
The Tolu Schools Complex was also equipped with central science laboratories and ICT Complex that can accommodate 200 pupils at a time.
Sanwo-Olu renamed the Maracana Stadium, comprising 19 mini-football pitches, after President Tinubu for his consistent championing of youth and sports development.
The Governor said the 23,000sq metre Abijo Mid-Level Agro Food hub was designed to create a sustainable food distribution network along the Eti Osa corridor.
“This facility, with its modern storage infrastructure, trading floors, and logistics systems, will decentralise access to fresh produce beyond our traditional markets, bringing affordable, quality food closer to families across the Lekki-Ajah axis and beyond. It is a critical piece of our food security architecture,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Education Minister, Alausa, said massive regeneration of Tolu Schools Complex stood as a powerful testament to the vision of a committed leadership in Lagos, noting that the accomplishment reflected what could be possible when leadership was purposeful, intentional and people-centric.
The achievement, he said, was in furtherance of President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and his commitment to quality education through the Renewed Hope agenda.
“The commissioning of Tolu Schools Complex is a landmark achievement in our collective pursuit of educational excellence. This is an unveiling of a bold statement and declaration that Nigeria is investing decisively in the future of its children,” Alausa said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
09 APRIL 2026
We’re deeply proud to deliver this historic project, says MD Julius Berger
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Wednesday formally inaugurated the long‑awaited Opebi–Mende–Ojota Link Road and Bridges in Lagos, marking a major milestone in the state’s urban transport architecture and traffic decongestion strategy.
The historic commissioning ceremony, held amidst elaborate pomp and pageantry, formed part of the President’s two‑day official visit to Lagos State, during which he unveiled several flagship projects executed by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu.
According to the President who was represented by Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio at the event, the edifice is for the President of Nigeria; affirming that the projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu are not just physical structures, but are symbols of purpose reflecting a government that understands that development must be seen, felt, and experienced by the people.
The Ojota–Opebi link Bridge is more than a road; it is a bridge to opportunity. In a city like Lagos, movement is everything. When traffic improves, productivity increases. When time is saved, businesses grow. When access is easier, lives improve, Tinubu said at another event held in Alausa, Lagos.
He added: this project sends a clear message: Lagos will not be overwhelmed by the challenges of growth. Instead, those challenges will be addressed and overcome.
For an elated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the project was not a straightforward building; the terrain was very swampy and prone to flooding, which meant that conventional methods would not suffice. What you see, therefore, is the result of careful planning and the application of advanced solutions.
He was full of praise to the contractor saying, we want to thank Julius Berger for keeping to time, for staying within budget, and for once again delivering high-quality road infrastructure. We have also been intentional about inclusivity and sustainability, providing walkways, bicycle lanes, solar-powered street lighting, and embedded service ducts. In essence, we have built not just for today’s needs, but with a clear vision for the ever-expanding demands of the future.
He added that, as part of the project, a comprehensive stormwater management system to address the long-standing challenge of flooding along the Udo-Yarlaro Corridor, thereby strengthening our environmental resilience was integrated.
The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch described the project as a crucial milestone in alleviating traffic congestion and boosting the economy of Lagos state.
He said, this iconic project is fundamentally “your baby”, conceived some twenty years ago during your tenure as the Governor of Lagos State. We salute your brilliant vision and foresight. Furthermore, we wish to express our deepest gratitude for your outstanding national leadership. Your bold and decisive reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are paving the way for a stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria, whether by tackling insecurity or driving economic realignment.
That this long-held vision is a reality today is due to the tireless dedication, determination, and resilience of the current Governor, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who nurtured this endeavour into a true legacy project despite global economic challenges.
Lubasch further said, we at Julius Berger are deeply proud to be the contractor that realized this historic project. For 60 years, we have been entrusted with building critical and priority infrastructure in Nigeria. With these six decades of experience in the country and our outstanding engineering expertise, we have consistently delivered with reliability, utmost integrity, and professionalism.
Looking towards the future, the managing Director said, Julius Berger would be profoundly honoured to be assigned further iconic and landmark projects, adding; we stand ready to bring our six decades of local experience, our unmatched expertise, and our specialized know-how; particularly in the realisation of highly complex bridge structures to bear on these future endeavours.
The Opebi–Mende Link Road, spanning approximately 5.04 kilometres, connects Opebi in Ikeja with Mende, Maryland and Ojota, providing a strategic alternative route to some of Lagos’ most congested corridors, including Allen Avenue, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way and Ikorodu Road.
Designed and constructed by the leading engineering construction company, the project comprises multiple bridges, dual carriageways, pedestrian walkways and upgraded drainage infrastructure aimed at improving mobility, safety and flood resilience across the axis.
The project posed enormous construction challenges due to extremely poor soil conditions, including soft peat layers extending up to 20 metres below ground level, necessitating extensive sand filling to create temporary working platforms.
To overcome these constraints, the Link Road and Bridges comprise multiple flyovers across swampy terrain, interspersed with access roads and connected to Ikorodu Road and Opebi Road.
Julius Berger deployed advanced engineering solutions, including 530‑metre and 110‑metre bridge spans, 50‑metre mechanically stabilised earth‑wall approaches, 30‑metre prestressed beams, geotextile‑reinforced ramps, and 1.5‑metre‑diameter bored piles driven up to 40 metres deep, using spiral duct systems as permanent casings.