Senate President Godswill Akpabio stood in for President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday at the inauguration of major projects in Lagos State, including the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge.
Also commissioned were the Multi-Agency Complex and the Lagos Geographic Information System (LAGIS) building in Alausa, now renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administrative Complex. The projects were described as vital to the continued growth of Nigeria’s commercial hub.
Akpabio said the 5.04-kilometre Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge would greatly reduce traffic congestion, improve business activities, and shorten travel time for commuters.
“More than just a road; it is a bridge to opportunity. In Lagos, movement is everything. When traffic improves, productivity grows, and lives get better,” he said.
Speaking on the LAGIS facility, he said it symbolises the future of development.
“Data drives development, and a modern land administration system is essential to unlocking economic value.
“These projects align with our national vision: a Nigeria that is modern, digitally enabled, and economically strong. We must replicate this standard across the country,” the President added.
He praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to infrastructure and urged Lagos residents to safeguard the new facilities.
“To the people of Lagos: these projects are for you. Protect them and build on them. I commend Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team for their financial discipline and focus on service delivery,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by several governors, including Dapo Abiodun, Douye Diri, Hope Uzodinma, and Babagana Zulum, alongside lawmakers and members of the Governor’s Advisory Council led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi.
Although Tinubu had been expected to personally commission the projects after extensive publicity by the presidency and Lagos State Government, no official explanation was given for his absence.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the new bridge would create a faster alternative route linking Opebi-Allen directly to Ikorodu Road through Odo Iya-Alaro and Mende, easing pressure on major traffic corridors.
“Now we have a brand-new bridge that will provide a direct connection from Opebi-Allen straight onto Ikorodu Road through the Odo Iya-Alaro and Mende corridor, creating a viable alternative route,” he said.
“It will reduce pressure on existing corridors such as Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Kudirat Abiola Road, and the Maryland axis. The objective is straightforward: to improve traffic efficiency with a noticeable impact even beyond the immediate environs.
“It will invariably improve the quality of life of all Lagosians, reduce the stress we go through, boost productivity, and allow more time to be spent at home with loved ones instead of being on the road,” the governor added.