Omolabake Fasogbon
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge will be fully opened to the public before the end of the month, bringing relief to commuters and residents who had eagerly awaited the usage of this strategic infrastructure project.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure during an interactive session with media executives in Lagos, where he also reflected on his administration’s achievements and formally introduced the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who recently emerged as the Governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election.
Explaining the reason for the delayed opening of the bridge despite its inauguration by President Bola Tinubu in April this year, Sanwo-Olu said the state government decided to complete the installation of a major architectural feature before allowing full public access.
According to him, the structure, which is being installed by Julius Berger, the company that constructed the bridge, would serve as an iconic landmark on the bridge and enhance its aesthetic appeal.
“Opebi Link Bridge, by the grace of God, will be fully opened this month. There was a reason. There is something we want Julius Berger to put on top of it and it is going to be installed from next week. There was a delay due to its importation. It is going to be iconic. It is 30 metres high. It will go from the basement, and I bet you, you will all love it,” the governor said.
He explained that the government did not want to open the bridge to motorists only to close it again for additional construction work.
“We didn’t want people to start using it and then we stop them again because of the work. So, in about two weeks’ time it should have been completed and you will love it,” he added.
The Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge is one of the flagship projects of the Lagos State Government aimed at improving connectivity between key parts of the metropolis, reducing travel time, and easing traffic congestion on some of the city’s busiest corridors.
Speaking on his stewardship over the past seven years, Sanwo-Olu noted that he had entered the final phase of his administration, having completed more than 87 per cent of his tenure.
“Slightly over seven years ago, I was sworn-in as the governor of the state. What that means is that I have spent seven years on this job. If you do mathematics, I have done about 87.5 per cent of my time. So, about 12.5 per cent is remaining. In that journey, I want to begin winding down,” he said.
The governor also recounted his long-standing relationship with Hamzat, describing him as a dependable ally and committed public servant whose public service career has closely aligned with his own for more than two decades.
According to Sanwo-Olu, both men first served together in the cabinet of then governor and current President, Tinubu, and later worked together in subsequent administrations.
“From the first day that he came into the cabinet, we picked each other as friends and from that time, our journey as public officers and leaders has been intertwined in one form or the other,” he said.
Responding, Hamzat described Lagos as a state of immense strategic importance, not only to Nigeria but also to the global Black community, stressing that effective governance remained critical to the future of millions of residents.
“Our state is extremely important to this country. They say that for every 20 black people in the world, one is a Lagosian, meaning one lives in Lagos. So the 20 per cent of black people in the world cannot fail,” he said.
Hamzat pledged to deepen the T.H.E.M.E.S. development agenda of the current administration if elected governor, adding that his focus would be on improving the quality of life of residents and ensuring sustainable development across the state.
“We take this assignment very seriously because we know that the destinies of a lot of people are in our hands and we will be answerable to our Creator one day,” he said.
He expressed confidence that with the support of Lagos residents, the APC would secure victory at the polls and continue implementing policies aimed at making the state more liveable and prosperous for future generations.
“We understand the geography of this state, the architecture and the history. We will have the election and by God’s grace and support of the people, we will win and we will organise ourselves and make this place liveable for our grandchildren,” Hamzat added.
