President Bola Tinubu sent his goodwill message on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio inaugurated several infrastructure projects in Lagos State on his behalf.
The president, absent from the event despite being in Lagos, described the projects as crucial to enhancing mobility, governance, and economic activity in the state.
The commissioned projects include the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administrative Complex, and the Lagos State Geographical Information System (GIS) building.
Speaking through Mr. Akpabio, President Tinubu said the projects represent more than physical structures, highlighting their role in addressing pressures from rapid urban growth.
“The Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge is more than a road; it is a bridge to opportunities. In a city like Lagos, movement is everything. When traffic improves, productivity also improves. When time is saved, businesses grow. When access is made easier, lives also get better,” he said.
President Tinubu said the projects signal a resolve to confront challenges like persistent traffic congestion, particularly along major routes such as Ojota and Ikeja. He commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining a steady focus on projects that directly impact residents and thanked the state government for naming the administrative complex after him.
On the GIS building, he emphasised that reliable data systems and transparent processes are essential for planning, investment decisions, and building public trust.
Mr. Akpabio, inaugurating the projects on behalf of Mr. Tinubu, urged residents to use and maintain the facilities responsibly.
Tinubu’s absence sparked speculation about a possible coldness between him and Governor Sanwo-Olu. The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, explained that Mr. Tinubu remained in Lagos due to his busy schedule and security concerns, attending to state matters and monitoring intelligence updates.
Akpabio Highlights Lagos Development
Addressing dignitaries, Mr. Akpabio stressed the importance the presidency attaches to infrastructure development in Lagos. He praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for visible democratic dividends and affirmed the National Assembly’s continued support for policies aimed at economic growth and improved living standards.
He noted that many ongoing projects in Lagos build on initiatives introduced during President Tinubu’s tenure as governor, sustained by successive administrations.
Projects and Traffic Advisory
Ahead of the commissioning, the Lagos State Government announced temporary traffic diversions. Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge commissioning, scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, would affect traffic around Opebi, Allen, Ikeja, and Ojota. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes.
Additional events, including the commissioning of the Tolu Schools Complex in Olodi Apapa and Ajegunle, were scheduled for Thursday, also with temporary traffic advisories.
