Residents and commuters along the Lekki-Epe Expressway are sounding the alarm as heavy truck traffic from Dangote Refinery threatens to turn the busy corridor into “another Apapa.”
On the evening of Saturday, September 13, over 30 Dangote trucks were spotted occupying one side of the expressway, causing major delays and sparking fears that the route could face chronic congestion similar to the notorious Apapa gridlock.
Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè, convener of the Lagos SME Bootcamp, highlighted the issue on X, writing, “Tonight on the Lekki Epe expressway, over 30+ Dangote trucks took over one side of the road in traffic. We feared The Lekki Epe axis will become another Apapa.”
His post has drawn wide attention, with commuters and residents echoing concerns about mounting congestion and safety risks.
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, recently announced a nationwide free petrol distribution initiative, delivering directly to filling stations to improve fuel availability.
The refinery has invested in thousands of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to facilitate this rollout, aiming to bypass traditional distribution channels.
While the initiative is praised for potentially lowering fuel costs and boosting supply, the surge in heavy vehicles has put a strain on existing infrastructure.
The Lekki-Epe Expressway, a critical 49.5 km route connecting Lekki to Epe, is already a high-traffic corridor for commuters and commercial transport. The sudden influx of Dangote trucks has intensified concerns that, without proper planning and infrastructure upgrades, the corridor could mirror Apapa’s infamous congestion, where port-bound trucks routinely paralyse traffic for hours.
Social media users have shared firsthand accounts of the disruptions. One resident lamented, “The traffic last night was unbearable. If this continues, it will be impossible to get anywhere on time.” Another warned, “With so many trucks on the road, it’s only a matter of time before accidents happen.”
The Lagos State Government has yet to respond formally, but calls are growing for urgent measures such as dedicated truck lanes, improved traffic management, and enhanced road signage to prevent Lekki-Epe from sliding into a gridlocked nightmare.
