A fresh traffic gridlock along the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway has disrupted port operations, delayed the movement of goods and left thousands of commuters and motorists stranded, renewing concerns over the persistent challenges associated with truck traffic around Lagos ports.
The congestion, described by road users as one of the worst in recent months, followed an influx of container trucks and fuel tankers that brought traffic to a standstill along the Mile 2–Berger Yard axis and adjoining roads. Trucks parked indiscriminately on both sides of the highway, while reckless driving by some operators compounded the gridlock along the Mile 2–Tin Can corridor.
Residents, transport operators and business owners attributed the recurring congestion to the commencement of operations at the new Kirikiri terminal, poor road infrastructure, inadequate traffic management, indiscriminate parking by tanker drivers and weak enforcement of traffic regulations.
Despite the deployment of personnel from the police, military and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the gridlock persisted for several hours, severely disrupting commercial activities and the movement of people and goods.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the unresolved challenges of truck movement around Lagos ports despite years of government interventions aimed at decongesting the Apapa corridor.
Investigations indicated that increased petroleum product availability along the Mile 2–Coconut axis attracted hundreds of tanker drivers, many of whom diverted from the Dangote Refinery route in search of loading opportunities at tank farms along the corridor.
The congestion was traced to the Coconut axis, where tankers queued to access major depots, including Shema, Integrated and Sahara, blocking depot entrances and spilling onto the expressway.
Many drivers who were unable to secure loading clearance remained on the road, further obstructing traffic.
As the situation worsened, members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) attempted to restore order by removing several tankers from the queue. However, many of the displaced vehicles relocated to the opposite side of the road, worsening the congestion and preventing loaded trucks from leaving the depots.
The resulting traffic stretched from the Coconut axis to Mile 2, with movement on the corridor reduced to a crawl.
Successive government efforts to address the Apapa traffic crisis have produced only temporary relief.
In 2018 and 2019, then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo led inspections of the Apapa port corridor alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and directed joint military and police operations to remove abandoned trailers from the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway.
Although the completion of the Oworo–Mile 2 road project, partly funded by businessman Aliko Dangote, improved traffic between Oshodi and Cele Bus Stop, congestion between Mile 2 and Apapa Port has remained a recurring challenge.
The annual rainy season has further worsened the situation, with flooded sections of the road and deteriorating pavement slowing traffic.
A visit to the corridor showed trucks occupying service lanes and sections of the main carriageway while traffic officials struggled to manage the heavy vehicular movement.
Residents and motorists complained that trucks transporting empty containers to the ports routinely obstruct the highway despite the presence of traffic enforcement officials.
A motorist, Olatunji Oshinowo, said the return of indiscriminately parked trucks had significantly increased travel time.
“The traffic has been terrible. The trucks and containers are back on the road, and they park wherever they like. I used to spend between 25 and 30 minutes travelling from Mile 2 to Tin Can Island Port, but now it takes between two and three hours,” he said.
Truck driver Monday Isaiah said a journey between Fatgbems and Coconut, which normally takes about 10 minutes, lasted more than an hour because of the congestion.
“The government needs to find a lasting solution by deploying enforcement teams and implementing sustainable measures,” he said.
Another motorist, Yahaya Adesina, lamented the return of the gridlock despite previous government interventions.
“This road leads to both the international airport and the seaport. It is one of the busiest roads in Lagos, so I don’t understand why it has been neglected,” he said.
A commercial bus driver, who identified himself only as Ebube, said traffic frequently forced him to abandon trips around the Wharf area because trucks blocked narrow roads while attempting to manoeuvre.
Responding to the development, LASTMA said it remained fully committed to managing traffic along the Mile 2–Apapa corridor.
The agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, said the corridor remained one of LASTMA’s priority operational routes because of its strategic importance to commercial activities.
He said the agency maintained a strong operational presence through officers deployed from nearby zonal offices, with additional personnel assigned daily to regulate traffic, clear obstructions and improve traffic flow.
Taofiq added that LASTMA had also engaged transport unions and commercial vehicle operators along the corridor, noting that while many had cooperated, some operators continued to engage in illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and unloading of passengers, route violations and other traffic offences that contribute to congestion.
