The Lagos State government has postponed the planned eight-month rehabilitation work of the Lekki–Ajah corridor, earlier scheduled to commence on Saturday, November 15, 2025, and conclude on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The decision comes days after a BusinessDay report highlighted how the rehabilitation could unsettle Detty December – a festive period in Lagos characterised by non-stop celebrations, social gatherings, and entertainment.
In a statement signed by Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commissioner for Transportation, the state government said a new commencement date would be communicated in due course.
“While preliminary activities will continue till the end of the month, full rehabilitation works will not begin until the revised schedule is announced,” Osiyemi assured.
He added that the state government appreciates the understanding and patience of all road users as it remains committed to improving road infrastructure and ensuring safer, more efficient transportation for all.
The commissioner had earlier explained that the project, with preliminary work already in progress, would be carried out in two phases to minimise traffic disruption.
Phase 1, according to him, would commence from Lekki 1st Toll Gate to Lekki 2nd Toll Gate and the work will be done in seven sections.
BusinessDay previously reported that commuting along the Lekki-Ajah Road has become a nightmare for the users, worsened by the road’s poor condition and indiscriminate truck parking.
The report further noted that due to the gridlock on that corridor, transport fare from Ajah to Jakande has surged from N800 to N1,000 to N1000 – N1,500.
Detty December in Lagos is a vibrant celebration filled with parties, concerts, and cultural events, marking the festive end of the year. It also involves a lot of movement from one corner of the city to another, which is why the rehabilitation work is of much concern.
Osiyemi had earlier told BusinessDay that the state government was conscious of the expected Detty December and its positive impact on the state’s economy.
Data released by advisory firm, MO Africa Company Limited, which analysed data from November 19 to December 26, 2024, focusing on Lagos State, said nightclubs in the state raked in not less than N4.32 billion from different activities during the Detty December period.
The Conversation estimated that Detty December injected over $220 million into Nigeria’s economy in 2023. It noted that a major driver of the growth is tourism, with an estimated 1.2 million visitors – mostly diasporans – flocking to Lagos in December 2024.
Whether this informed the decision to postpone the rehabilitation work on that corridor or not remains unclear.
