Commuters Lament Decaying Sango-Idiroko Highway

​Residents and motorists along the Sango-Idiroko Road in Ogun State are intensifying their calls for urgent intervention as the highway’s condition continues to deteriorate, causing widespread hardship and daily logistical nightmares.

​The plea comes amid mounting public frustration over the progress of the multi-billion naira reconstruction project intended to transform this critical economic corridor. While construction activities—including the development of flyovers at Oju-Ore and Winners—are visible, commuters describe the overall pace as sluggish, arguing that critical sections, particularly around Onibuku, Baba Ode, and Goro, remain in a state of advanced decay.

​A Daily Struggle for Commuters

​For the thousands of road users who rely on this route, the journey has become an endurance test. Motorists report frequent vehicle breakdowns, skyrocketing repair costs, and prolonged travel times during peak hours. The situation is particularly dire during the rainy season, as deep, water-filled potholes pose hidden risks to unsuspecting drivers.

​Beyond the physical damage to vehicles, residents have raised security concerns. Reduced speeds necessitated by the cratered road surface have allegedly emboldened criminal elements, who reportedly exploit the traffic congestion to harass and rob unsuspecting commuters under the cover of darkness.

​Project Status and Public Skepticism

​The reconstruction of the 64-kilometre Sango-Ota-Idiroko expressway, once hailed as a game-changer for regional connectivity, has been under scrutiny for months. While government officials have previously maintained that the project is on track for phased completion by 2028, on-site observations suggest a significant gap between official timelines and the lived reality of the people.

​Construction company representatives have dismissed reports of poor workmanship, citing that isolated damage to drainage structures was caused by vehicular accidents rather than structural failures. However, the absence of clear, public project timelines at construction sites has fueled doubts among stakeholders regarding transparency and the quality of materials being used.

​The Path Forward

​As pressure mounts, residents are urging the Ogun State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works to intensify oversight and expedite repairs on the most critical sections of the highway. While the ongoing flyover projects are viewed as a positive step, stakeholders emphasize that the immediate rehabilitation of neglected segments is vital to restoring economic activity and ensuring the safety of those living and working along the axis.

​Efforts to reach the Ogun State Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, for comment on the latest developments remained unsuccessful at the time of publication.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Ogun State road infrastructure update

​This video provides on-ground footage and context regarding the status of the Sango-Ota–Idiroko road construction, including the progress of the flyovers and the challenges currently being faced along the route.