Egba leaders under the aegis of the Egba Economic Summit Group have raised the alarm over the prolonged delay in the completion of the Abeokuta Idi-Aba–OGTV–Ajebo–Obafemi–Alapako express road, warning that the stalled project poses serious risks to economic development and security in Ogun State.
In a letter dated January 16, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, the group said the slow pace of work on the strategic federal road was unacceptable, noting that the project had dragged on for years despite itsh importance as a link to the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The letter, signed by the President of the summit, Dr Gbenga Adeoye, was also copied to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Osile of Oke Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola; former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; and the Babalaje of Egbaland, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye.
While acknowledging ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the country, the group said it was compelled to draw attention to the Abeokuta road due to its economic significance.
“We bring warm greetings to you and your entire team on the various Renewed Hope Projects going on across the country. One of it, is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which also passed through Ijebu Water Side in Ogun State as well as the award of Badagry-Sokoto Road which passed through Soyoye Rounder area in Abeokuta. The night repairs of Sango-Abeokuta Road is also worthy of note and commendable. We appreciate that,” the letter read partly.
Describing itself as non-partisan, the summit praised President Bola Tinubu and members of his cabinet, including the minister of works, but said it had a responsibility to speak out where critical projects were stalled.
“While we have a duty to commend the government when we see performance, we also have a collective duty imposed on us as Egba people to call the attention of government to any project(s) that is of economic importance especially where execution of such project(s) is slow, stagnant and sometimes, not even conceived,” the group stated.
The summit expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the road after initial sections within Abeokuta city.
“In view of the above, we hereby call your attention to the slow pace of work on Abeokuta Idi-Aba-OGTV-Ajebo-obafemi-express Road which passed through the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, all the way through OGTV to Obafemi and Ajebo to link the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way,” the letter said.
It warned against a reduction in construction standards outside the city centre.
“We also request that you ensure the designed standard is not lowered after the segment that passed through Abeokuta City, especially in areas that passed through villages as contractors have a way of dropping standards after leaving the main city, thereby reducing durability in some parts of the road,” the letter read.
Listing eight major concerns, the group noted that the project was awarded during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari but remains incomplete.
“The project has dragged for too long, having been awarded during the administration of President Buhari,” it said.
It added that while the stretch from the Federal Medical Centre to Chrisland University was motorable, conditions worsened afterwards.
“The segment in the town from Federal Medical Centre up to Chrisland University appears good but shortly after, it has become difficult for people to drive through,” the added.
The summit also warned that the abandoned road could stall the take-off of the newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta.
“The newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences has its 170 hectares permanent site on the same road at Ajibayo Village and there is no way they can move from their current temporary site to that location if that road construction remains abandoned, stagnant, or slow,” the letter stated.
According to the group, the road also serves as an alternative route to the old Ibadan–Abeokuta road and has the potential to decongest traffic on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
“The road is useful in decongesting regular traffic and gridlocks at Ogere axis of Lagos Ibadan expressway as motorist going to Abeokuta from Ibadan and vice versa will not need to drive through Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange,” it said.
The summit further argued that the road could transform communities around Ajebo into an industrial hub.
“The road is capable of transforming the economic landscape of Obafe-Ajebo area… [and] will create an industrial hub around Ajebo town and villages like, Erunwon, Abiona Mosafejo and Olosun among others.”
Lamenting the hardship faced by motorists, the group said excavation works had worsened travel conditions.
“Excavation done on the road has now made life very difficult for motorist, whereas it was a smooth drive through as well as a short-cut to Ibadan when it was constructed by the administration of Chief Olusegun Osoba during his tenure as the governor of Ogun State,” it was added
The Egba leaders urged the minister to intervene urgently.
“In view of the above, we plead that urgent action be taken to ensure speedy completion so as it will have direct positive impact on the economy of Egbaland, Ogun state and Nigeria,” the letter said.
They also prayed for adequate funding for the Ministry of Works to complete the project and o
ther ongoing federal roads.
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