The Member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has facilitated the construction of five pedestrian bridges along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway within her constituency as part of sustained efforts to safeguard lives and curb the alarming rate of fatal road accidents in the area.
The pedestrian bridges, which form part of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, will be located at Soka, Sanyo, Boluwaji, Eleruku/Muslim, and Seminbio in Ibadan. Additional pedestrian bridges are also expected along the corridor through separate interventions.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the proposed sites alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and community stakeholders, Akande-Sadipe stated that the project was primarily driven by the need to protect residents and commuters who daily risk their lives crossing the busy highway.
“The bottom line is that this is all about saving lives. It is about safeguarding the people in these communities and those passing through Ibadan. Beyond pedestrians crossing the road, there are also vehicular accidents that endanger motorists and other road users. This intervention is fundamentally about protecting lives,” she said.
The lawmaker explained that while pedestrian bridges were included in the original design of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, their implementation was planned in phases. Upon assuming office in 2019, she engaged the Federal Ministry of Works after observing that there were no immediate plans for the construction of pedestrian bridges within her constituency.
According to her, years of sustained advocacy and engagement with the Ministry eventually led to the inclusion of Sanyo and other strategic locations among the approved sites.
“Initially, in July 2023, I made requests covering the axis from the First Technical University because I knew the area would become increasingly busy, all the way to Ojoo, which is beyond my constituency. The former, Minister of Works Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN worked with us and ensured that Sanyo was among the locations earlier approved for a pedestrian bridge,” she stated. Sequel to that in 2025 following further representations and engagements, the current Minister of Works Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, made provision for three additional locations in the 2026 budget.”
Akande-Sadipe further disclosed that the fifth of the bridges was facilitated through her 2026 Constituency Capital Project.
Addressing suggestions that the project was politically motivated ahead of future elections, the federal lawmaker maintained that the initiative was the result of years of advocacy and legislative intervention rather than political considerations.
“This has nothing to do with elections. These are issues I have been pursuing for years. The Ministry invited me to identify the most vulnerable and densely populated locations where the bridges should be sited. An outsider may not know these communities, but as the representative of the people, I do,” she said.
To further underscore her commitment to the project, Akande-Sadipe referenced a motion she sponsored on the floor of the House of Representatives on July 18, 2023, titled ‘Urgent Need for Intervention to Prevent Additional Loss of Life Due to the Absence of Pedestrian Bridges Along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.’
She noted that the motion, which highlighted the growing number of deaths and injuries recorded along the corridor, received widespread support from fellow lawmakers and helped to support her call for the attention of the Federal Ministry of Works on the urgent need for intervention.
The lawmaker further revealed that she followed up the motion with several official correspondences, and visit, including a letter dated September 16, 2025, to the current Minister of Works, requesting pedestrian bridges at key locations including Abiola Ajimobi Technical University (AATU), Toll Gate, Felele, Soka, Sanyo, and Academy.
“This is about responsibility, not politics. My focus has always been on protecting lives and improving the welfare of my constituents,” she added.
Akande-Sadipe also used the opportunity to encourage young people to remain committed to education, vocational skills acquisition, and productive economic activities while rejecting violence, crime, and thuggery.
“Success comes through focus, discipline, and hard work. Whether you choose education or a vocation, strive for excellence. Let us also leave positive examples for those coming behind us,” she advised.
Also speaking during the inspection, the Project Engineer for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Section II Project, Engr. Dele Richard Olajide, confirmed that the second phase of pedestrian bridge construction had commenced.
Olajide, whose section of the project stretches from Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo, commended Akande-Sadipe for her efforts in securing additional pedestrian bridges for communities along the expressway.
“The second phase of pedestrian bridge construction has commenced. This is a two-year programme, and I am confident that by the end of 2028, issues relating to unsafe crossings and the associated fatalities will largely become a thing of the past,” he said.
The President-General of Soka Community, Comrade Oladiti Asimiyu, described the intervention as timely and life-saving, revealing that the area records an average of five fatal accidents monthly due to the absence of safe crossing points.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Hon. Akande-Sadipe for responding to the long-standing concerns of residents.
“As a community, we have witnessed numerous avoidable deaths over the years. In some months, we record as many as five fatal accidents. We appreciate President Tinubu and Hon. Akande-Sadipe for bringing this life-saving project to our community,” he said.
Residents and stakeholders expressed optimism that the construction of the pedestrian bridges would significantly reduce accidents, enhance pedestrian safety, and improve economic and social activities across communities along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor.
The project is expected to provide a lasting solution to one of the most pressing safety concerns confronting residents of the affected communities and further underscores the commitment of Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe to protecting lives and delivering impactful infrastructure to the people of Oluyole Federal Constituency. Other than the engineers from the ministry. Hon. Tolu was supported on the tour of the locations by both State and Oluyole APC party leadership, Exco and members.
