People living along Alakoso Avenue in the Amuwo Odofin region of Lagos are facing significant hardships as their primary transit route has deteriorated into a hazardous state. Originally built in the 1980s under Governor Lateef Jakande to support local estates, the road has received virtually no meaningful maintenance for over four decades.
Residents report that the road began failing significantly after becoming an overflow path for heavy trucks during periods of gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Despite its role as a vital link for commuters, successive administrations have neglected it, leaving residents to deal with massive gullies and blocked drainage systems. Business owners and locals claim that both state and local authorities have consistently pushed the responsibility onto each other, leaving the infrastructure to crumble.
With government intervention absent, local businesses, churches, and residents have attempted small-scale repairs, such as filling potholes with stones and clearing drains. However, these temporary fixes are insufficient. Local commerce has suffered tremendously, with many businesses closing their doors entirely as customers and transport services avoid the area. Commuters, including tricycle drivers and motorcyclists, face constant vehicle damage and lost income, while the road remains largely impassable during the rainy season.
While the Amuwo Odofin local government leadership was unavailable for comment, an internal source indicated that the local chairman has requested assistance from the state government. There are promises that permanent reconstruction will begin once the rainy season concludes, as similar projects have already begun in neighboring areas.