According to Punch, motorists and passengers across parts of Lagos Island were trapped in hours-long gridlock on Wednesday as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its 50th anniversary with a high-profile summit at Eko Hotels and Suites.
The event, attended by President Bola Tinubu and several West African heads of state, led to the closure of key roads in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Falomo, and surrounding areas, effectively paralyzing traffic movement. Eyewitnesses reported that security operatives began blocking access routes as early as 8 a.m., leaving commuters stranded without alternatives.
Videos shared online showed passengers abandoning their vehicles to trek long distances, with many complaining about the lack of prior traffic advisories or efficient traffic control measures. The situation was particularly severe for commercial drivers and business owners who depend on daily mobility for income.
One commuter, Tolu, described being stuck in traffic for over four hours and criticized the authorities for what she called poor planning.
She said; “There was heavy security presence everywhere because they claimed the President wanted to pass.”
According to her, one lane was completely shut down with no clear redirection in place. She expressed frustration at the stress the congestion caused and questioned the rationale behind the total roadblocks.
Similarly, a commercial driver, Jamiu, lamented the loss of his daily earnings due to the disruption. He explained that the hours spent in traffic prevented him from completing enough trips to meet the financial target required for remitting payments on his hired vehicle. For him, the day’s work was effectively a loss.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the disruption, attributing the congestion to the extensive road diversions required for security during the summit. LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq acknowledged the traffic issues and said officials had been deployed at various junctions to ease the flow, though many commuters said they saw little visible intervention.
Residents and road users have since called on authorities to improve traffic management strategies during high-level events, especially those involving foreign dignitaries, to minimize the impact on daily life in the bustling commercial hub.
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