Lagos State Government Addresses Otedola Bridge Accidents

The Lagos State government has stated that structural assessments of Otedola Bridge show no core engineering defects, attributing the frequent accidents to reckless driving and overloaded heavy-duty trucks. However, a recent accident involved a diesel tanker carrying 33,000 litres, which plunged off the bridge and burst into flames, leaving two men with severe burns.

Experts argue that the bridge has significant engineering flaws, including a slippery road surface and a downward slope leading to the bridge. Built in 1978 and named after former Lagos State governor Sir Michael Otedola, the bridge has a history of deadly incidents, with about 15 accidents recorded in the last three years.

Notable incidents include a wheat-laden truck falling off the bridge on 1 September 2023, a catastrophic crash involving four trucks on 7 January 2025, and a gas tanker fire that killed newlyweds Chidozie and Joan Okoye on 29 March 2025. The bridge's history of accidents has led to severe traffic chaos and gridlock.