Federal Government to Demolish Carter Bridge, Reconstruct a New Legacy for Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria — The Federal Government has announced plans to collapse and reconstruct the historic Carter Bridge, the first bridge to link Lagos Island with the mainland. Named after Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter, a former colonial Governor of Lagos, the bridge has stood as both a symbol of expansion and a lifeline of commerce for over a century.
Now, battered by age, overuse, and neglect, consultants and engineers warn the structure is damaged beyond repair. “Reports from Julius Berger Plc and other independent experts including Fraser Consulting Consortium ( International Consultants) reached the same conclusion,” said Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, during a recent inspection. “The Carter Bridge can no longer support safe daily vehicular movement. A new structure must replace it.”
A Colonial Legacy, An Economic Artery
The original Carter Bridge was completed in 1901 by the British colonial administration. At the time, Lagos was rapidly growing into a critical port city in West Africa. Before the bridge, traders, farmers, and commuters relied on ferries and canoes to cross the lagoon. Carter Bridge was revolutionary: for the first time, Lagos Island — the colonial administrative hub — was directly linked to the mainland.
The economic impact was immediate. Palm oil, cocoa, fish, textiles, and imported goods could be moved faster and in greater quantities. This efficiency helped Lagos cement its reputation as Nigeria’s commercial capital, a position it still holds today.
By the mid-20th century, the original bridge had become overwhelmed by traffic and age. A second Carter Bridge was commissioned and reconstructed in the 1970s, extending connections to Iddo and Ebute-Ero. For decades, it remained one of the three main arteries (alongside Eko Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge) that funneled millions of Lagosians between the island and the mainland each day.
Carter Bridge and the Lagos Experience
Beyond trade and transportation, Carter Bridge carries cultural weight. For many Lagosians, it is part of the lived experience of the city. The bridge’s two ends — Ebute-Ero and Iddo — became notorious in the mid-20th century as dumping sites for human waste in the era before modern sewage systems.
Residents recall the days of the “Agbépò” (faeces carriers), men employed to carry buckets of human waste collected at night and dispose of them in the lagoon. For those who grew up in Lagos in the 1950s and 60s, Carter Bridge was a place where the sights, sounds, and smells of a rapidly urbanizing city converged.
“Growing up, you could not pass Carter Bridge without that unforgettable stench,” recalls 67-year-old Adewale Oseni, a retired trader. “It was terrible, but it was also part of the Lagos we knew. The bridge was alive with traders, bus conductors shouting destinations, and the constant hum of life.”
Even today, Carter Bridge serves as a barometer of Lagos’s energy. Congested, chaotic, yet indispensable — it remains a symbol of resilience.
Why Collapse, Why Now?
The bridge’s deterioration has been gradual but relentless. Overloaded with commercial buses and trucks, battered by decades of salt air from the lagoon, and weakened by poor maintenance, the structure is no longer safe.
Traffic engineers estimate Carter Bridge handles more than 45,000 vehicles daily, far beyond its original capacity. Cracked bearings, rusted joints, and corroded foundations have made it, in the words of one engineer, “a disaster waiting to happen.”
“The Carter Bridge is a ticking time bomb,” said Dr. Musa Adetola, a structural engineer. “It has outlived its lifespan. Lagos cannot afford another infrastructure tragedy like we’ve seen with building collapses across the country.”
Timeline of Carter Bridge
1901 — First Carter Bridge constructed by the colonial administration under Governor Gilbert Carter.
1930s–1960s — Bridge becomes Lagos’s lifeline, enabling trade and migration.
1973–1979 — Reconstruction project delivers the second Carter Bridge with expanded reach to Iddo and Ebute-Ero.
1980s–2000s — Heavy traffic, limited maintenance begin to wear the structure.
2023 — Inspections declare the bridge unsafe. Federal Government announces demolition and reconstruction.
Tinubu’s Lagos Legacy?
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the helm, speculation is rife that the replacement may not retain the Carter name. Having served as Lagos State governor from 1999 to 2007, Tinubu is widely credited with reforms and projects that shaped modern Lagos. Many believe the reconstructed bridge could be christened the Tinubu Bridge.
If that happens, it would symbolically close the chapter on a colonial legacy and enshrine Tinubu’s role in Lagos’s story. “Renaming Carter Bridge as Tinubu Bridge would be symbolic,” said political historian Dr. Fraser. “It would mark the passing of colonial relics into a new era of Nigerian ownership. And it would tie Tinubu’s name forever to the lifeblood of Lagos commerce.”
Comparing the Big Three
Lagos depends on three main bridges linking the island to the mainland:
Eko Bridge (opened 1975) — Built to ease Carter’s overload, spans Apapa to Marina.
Third Mainland Bridge (completed 1990) — Africa’s longest bridge for many years, stretching nearly 12 km.
Carter Bridge (rebuilt 1970s) — The oldest and most historic, though now the weakest.
While Third Mainland carries the heaviest daily traffic, Carter Bridge remains closest to the old market districts. Its economic role, especially for traders and small businesses, is unmatched.
“Without Carter Bridge, Idumota and Balogun markets would choke,” said Mrs. Kudirat Bello, a fabric seller. “It is our road to the customers, to the goods, to everything.”
Economic Stakes
Lagos accounts for nearly 30% of Nigeria’s GDP. Its ports handle over 70% of Nigeria’s imports. Carter Bridge has always been central to this flow.
Economists warn that failure to replace it quickly would have ripple effects. Traffic diversion would overload Third Mainland and Eko Bridges, already strained. Delays in moving goods could raise transport costs, hit traders’ profits, and fuel inflation in a city already struggling with high living costs.
On the other hand, a modern replacement could unlock opportunity. A redesigned bridge with better traffic flow, pedestrian walkways, and integrated public transport could save Lagosians millions of lost man-hours every year.
A People-Focused Shift
For Tinubu, the Carter Bridge project is not just about engineering — it’s political. Critics have long accused his administration of focusing more on power consolidation than people’s welfare.
But by prioritizing a project that affects millions daily, Tinubu is signaling a shift. “The administration is demonstrating that it hears the people’s needs,” said policy analyst Dr. Chika Nwosu. “If Carter Bridge were to collapse, killing thousands, the public would never forgive the government. Tinubu would bear the blame personally.”
This project has become a litmus test for Tinubu’s presidency: can he deliver infrastructure that directly touches ordinary lives, not just elite corridors?
Public Voices
On the streets of Lagos, the announcement has sparked a mix of relief and anxiety. Relief that the government is finally acting, anxiety about what the demolition will mean for daily commutes.
“Every day I cross Carter Bridge with my bus,” said Chinedu Okoro, a commercial driver. “If they close it, where will we pass? Third Mainland is already jammed. Government must plan this well.”
Market women in Idumota echo the concern. “Without Carter, business will suffer,” said trader Bisi Alade. “But if they rebuild it, we will have peace of mind. Nobody wants to die on the bridge.”
Political Stakes and Historical Parallels
Infrastructure projects have always shaped legacies. In the 1970s, General Yakubu Gowon’s government was remembered for Eko Bridge. In the 1980s, Babangida’s regime was tied to Third Mainland. For Tinubu, Carter Bridge could serve the same role — a physical symbol of his presidency’s achievements.
Yet the stakes are higher today. Lagos is bigger, poorer in parts, and far more congested than in previous eras. Nigerians are less forgiving of failure.
Political historians draw parallels with colonial transitions. Just as the first Carter Bridge marked the transformation of Lagos from fishing port to colonial capital, the new bridge could define the transition of Lagos into a 21st-century megacity.
What Comes Next
The Ministry of Works has not yet announced the demolition date, but industry insiders suggest the project could take three to five years, at a cost running into hundreds of billions of naira.
Experts stress the importance of transparency. Past mega-projects in Nigeria have been plagued by delays, inflated costs, and allegations of corruption. Lagosians are watching closely to ensure Carter Bridge does not become another failed promise.
Closing Voices
For Lagosians, Carter Bridge is more than a structure; it is identity, memory, and survival. The colonial relic that once defined the city’s economy will give way to a 21st-century replacement. Whether the new bridge is called Carter, Tinubu, or something else, it must bear the weight of history and the hope of a restless city.
As one Idumota trader put it: “Carter Bridge gave Lagos its heartbeat. Let us hope the new bridge will not only keep it beating but make it stronger.”
And as Princess Fraser, MFR of the National Patriots, added: “For too long, successive governments have allowed Carter Bridge to decay while Lagosians risked their lives daily. President Tinubu cannot afford to repeat that negligence. If this project is carried out with sincerity and urgency, it will not only save lives but also prove that his administration is truly people-focused. The National Patriots will continue to hold him accountable, not to weaken his vision, but to strengthen it for the sake of Nigerians.”
Princess G. Adebajo-Fraser. MFR.
The National Patriots.
CEO, Fraser Consulting Consortium.
