The Federal Government has announced the complete closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos State starting April 27, 2025, to enable critical repair works.
This was disclosed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, during an inspection of the bridge on Monday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to Kesha, Ijora Bridge—which connects the Ijora Causeway to Apapa—requires comprehensive maintenance, particularly the replacement of worn-out bearings beneath the bridge deck.
She stated: “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. A lot of the bearings are defective, and approximately 50 of them will be replaced across three sections.”
Kesha underscored the strategic importance of the bridge as a key access route to the Apapa area, which hosts two of Nigeria’s busiest ports—Tincan and Apapa ports.
While acknowledging the inconvenience the closure may bring, she stressed the necessity of the work to ensure public safety and prevent further structural damage.
“It won’t collapse, but it definitely needs help. If you drive on the bridge now, you will feel vibrations. That is because the bearings, the spring-like supports under the deck, have weakened significantly,” she said.
Kesha appealed to motorists and road users for patience and cooperation, noting that the repair operations would be executed within a tight schedule to minimize disruption.