A prominent civic organisation has called on Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Works to take urgent action to fix a perilous stretch of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway that has long been a flashpoint for serious and fatal accidents. The GO FORTE Foundation, in a letter dated 24 January 2026 and addressed to the Minister of Works, warned that without swift intervention, more lives will be lost and economic activity disrupted along one of the nation’s busiest road corridors.
The foundation highlighted a particularly dangerous section of the expressway just outbound from Lagos toward Ibadan near the Mobil Filling Station and the access point to Otedola Estate. According to the group, the road’s topography forms a steep downward slope leading into a bridge crossing. This creates what they described as a “natural acceleration zone” where heavy-duty vehicles, especially articulated trucks and fuel tankers, frequently build up dangerous speed. Over time, this has turned the location into a chronic accident hotspot.
The letter, signed by Gbenga Onabanjo, the convener of GO FORTE Foundation, paints a grim picture of the recurring carnage at that spot. The group said that over the past decade, the combination of steep grades, heavy freight, and poor road design has contributed to repeated collisions. It explained that many trucks, empty when inbound from northern routes, rapidly accelerate downhill and then return heavily laden from Lagos ports, making speed control extremely difficult and brake failure more likely.
GO FORTE drew attention to a catalogue of past tragedies. In some crashes, fuel tankers have lost control, exploded, and ignited surrounding vehicles, resulting in mass casualties and extensive destruction of property. In one particularly devastating accident referenced by the foundation, more than 50 vehicles were destroyed and upwards of 100 road users were reportedly killed. The disruption from such incidents has ripple effects: traffic gridlocks that stretch for kilometres, sometimes stranding commuters for as long as 12 hours or more.
The foundation also noted other dangerous patterns at the same location. It mentioned trucks that fail to climb the opposing slope on the return journey because of heavy loads and unfavourable road geometry. These stalled or overturned vehicles not only risk lives but also spill cargo and block traffic, creating yet another hazard for other road users.
Describing the site as a classic “black spot,” GO FORTE urged a shift from the reactive responses that have followed each accident to more permanent, engineering-driven solutions. Rather than simply responding to the aftermath of crashes, the group wants the Ministry of Works to commission a comprehensive technical audit of the area and implement long-term safety measures.
Among its recommendations, the foundation suggested the installation of speed-calming systems, the introduction of designated heavy-vehicle lanes, the construction of escape ramps for out-of-control trucks, and the re-engineering of gradients to reduce acceleration. It also called for better weighbridge enforcement to ensure trucks aren’t overloaded, and for clearer signage and improved lighting to help motorists navigate the tricky stretch more safely.
GO FORTE underlined that this is not merely a local concern but a matter of national importance. The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway is a major economic artery that connects Nigeria’s largest city to the key commercial and agricultural regions of the southwest and beyond. As such, its safety and reliability have broad implications for commerce, mobility, and public wellbeing.
In closing, the foundation emphasised its readiness to support efforts to make the corridor safer. It offered to share community-level insights and to participate in stakeholder engagements aimed at finding workable solutions. The message was clear: proactive intervention now could prevent further tragedy on a road that has already claimed too many lives.
