Ogun State has recently become a trending topic on social media platforms such as Twitter (now X), Facebook, and TikTok, where it is widely regarded as having the worst roads among the Southwest States in Nigeria. Citizens and residents have voiced their frustrations, highlighting several areas with bad and less motorable roads, including Alagbole, Akure, Ogijo, Sango-Ota, Ifo, and Ewekoro. This widespread discontent was reported by Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
Social media has been abuzz with hashtags like “#DapofixOgunroads,” calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to address the issue. One user posted, “This is Sango-Ota in Ogun State. Mr. Governor has done nothing to fix the floods in that area.” The poor road conditions have exacerbated hardships for residents, especially in border towns such as Ojodu, Alagbole, Akure, Sango-Ota, Ogijo, and Magboro.
Adewunmi Adenekan, a resident of Alagbole, told BusinessDay, “Having seen the impassable condition of our roads in Alagbole, Akute, and Ojodu, I usually go to Lagos on public transport daily.” Another resident, Oluwole Adigun, who relies on his motorcycle for income, lamented, “It’s very terrible here in Gasline, Sango-Ota. We don’t have good roads, and the government is not doing anything. Now, we have to increase our fares because every time we use these roads, we end up fixing one or two things on our motorcycles.”
In response to the outcry, Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, stated, “The trending news on social media about Ogun State having bad roads is politically motivated. We cannot isolate Ogun State from the global issue of flooding caused by heavy rains. Besides, the areas mentioned are border regions with residents who often pay taxes to Lagos State, making it challenging for us to plan and budget for their development.”
In Ondo State, residents have attributed the bad roads, especially in rural areas, to rising food prices. Torrential rainfall has worsened road conditions in Akoko land and parts of the Southern senatorial district, making them impassable. Roads affected by gully erosion include Irun-Ojeka, Eshe-Afin, Ikun-Ipe Akoko, Ajowa-Igasi, and others. As a result, the cost of transporting food crops has surged, causing significant price hikes for essential goods.
In Oyo State, dilapidated roads are a major concern for residents. The poor conditions have led to accidents and hindered economic activities. Residents have called on Governor Seyi Makinde to fulfill his promise of road repairs. Some of the critical roads needing attention include Ayegun-Oleyo Road, Wofun-Kute-Jenriyin Road, and Iresaapa-Iresaadu phase 2 road, among others.
Osun State residents have also voiced their frustrations over poor road conditions. Timothy Agbor, a resident of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, described the situation as dangerous, particularly during the rainy season. Ejigbo residents have called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to fix their long-abandoned roads, which are crucial for travel to neighboring countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and Ghana.
At the time of this report, efforts to get further reactions from government officials in the affected states were unsuccessful.
