Severe traffic congestions gripped the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after a trailer accident blocked a key section of the outbound carriageway, leaving motorists stranded for hours and prompting many to divert onto bush paths and alternative routes.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Tuesday at the Sinowa (also referred to as Sinoma/El-Dorado–Ibafo) axis. The trailer fell onto the expressway and remained uncleared through the morning, reducing the affected stretch to a single navigable lane.
Traffic built rapidly in both directions as more vehicles arrived, with the backlog extending from the Interchange axis toward Lagos on the inbound carriageway and along the outbound section toward Ibadan.
An eyewitness, identified only as Miss Tolani, told newsmen that vehicles had been virtually at a standstill since the early hours. “The increasing number of vehicles on the expressway was worsening the situation, as motorists struggled to pass through the available lane,” she said.
Frustrated drivers began using hidden roads and bush paths to escape the jam, which in turn caused heavy congestion on roads in the Mowe and Ofada areas.
The situation was compounded by impatient motorists who abandoned their lanes and drove against traffic, crossing into the opposite carriageway in attempts to bypass the obstruction. This widespread route violation disrupted flow in both directions and prolonged the gridlock along one of Nigeria’s busiest corridors.
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) spokesperson Akinbiyi Babatunde confirmed the crash had caused a major obstruction on the outbound carriageway at Sinowa.
“The situation has been further compounded by impatient motorists attempting to leave their designated lane and cross into the opposite section of the expressway,” he said. He noted that TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the police had been deployed to the area and that efforts were ongoing to restore normal traffic flow. Motorists were urged to exercise patience, avoid driving against traffic, and refrain from lane indiscipline.
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) issued a similar advisory. Its Public Relations Officer, Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi, expressed regret over the inconvenience and assured motorists that traffic management agencies were working diligently to clear the obstruction and normalise movement.
TRACE advised road users to consider alternative routes where practicable, including the Old Lagos–Sango–Ifo–Ewekoro–Abeokuta Expressway, the Sagamu–Sotubo–Ogijo–Ikorodu Expressway, and the Ijebu-Ode–Epe Expressway.
As of Tuesday morning, congestion continued to build on both carriageways, with no immediate indication of when the trailer would be fully removed and free flow restored. Commuters and travellers were advised to plan journeys carefully, allow extra time, or use recommended diversions to avoid becoming stuck in the prolonged standstill.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remains a critical artery linking Lagos to the Southwest and beyond. Incidents of this nature frequently highlight the corridor’s vulnerability to disruption from accidents involving heavy vehicles.
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