US-Iran Conflict Affecting Lagos Infrastructure Projects, Govt Laments
…Explains Delay in Opening Opebi-Mende Link Bridge, Says 6,000 Manholes Exposed
The Lagos State Government has expressed concern over the impact of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran on some of its major infrastructure projects, revealing that the crisis has disrupted the importation of critical construction materials needed for ongoing developments.
The government specifically cited delays in the completion of the 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital on Lagos Island, one of its flagship healthcare projects, as a consequence of the international conflict.
The disclosure was made on Monday during the 2026 ministerial press briefing commemorating the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at the briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, said the contractor handling the Massey Children’s Hospital project had experienced difficulties importing essential construction materials due to the ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran.
“The contractor, according to documents made available to us, has experienced delays in importing necessary construction materials due to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran,” Olayinka said.
The Massey Children’s Hospital, currently being rebuilt into a seven-storey specialist paediatric facility, is expected to become the largest children’s hospital in Nigeria upon completion. The project is designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services ranging from primary to advanced paediatric care.
According to Olayinka, the hospital project has so far generated about 750 jobs, while the ongoing construction of a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo has created approximately 600 jobs.
Despite the challenges posed by global developments, he assured that the state government remains committed to completing critical healthcare infrastructure projects before the end of the current administration.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration has demonstrated that the restoration of public health facilities remains a priority,” he added.
Opebi-Mende Bridge Yet to Open
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Olufemi Daramola, explained that the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge, though already commissioned, has not been opened to motorists because work is still ongoing on adjoining roads and supporting infrastructure.
He said connecting roads, including Salvation Road, Adeola Street and Toyin Street, as well as an iconic monument project linked to the bridge, are yet to be completed.
According to him, the bridge will be opened for public use once all ancillary infrastructure is fully completed.
Road Infrastructure Progress
Daramola disclosed that the state government has completed 362 roads covering approximately 347 kilometres since 2019, alongside significant investments in healthcare, education, justice administration, public safety and digital infrastructure.
He added that 130 roads spanning about 113 kilometres were completed within the last year alone.
Several strategic road projects, including the Eti-Osa–Lekki–Epe Expressway corridor, Gberigbe Road in Ikorodu, Aka-Kemberi Road in Ojo, Ijegun-Ijagemo Road and Akesan-Igando Road, are at advanced stages and nearing commissioning.
He further revealed that projects such as the Igbogbo–Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Igbe Road, Agric-Isawo-Konu-Arepo Road and the Lagos-Badagry carriageway are also approaching completion.
6,000 Manholes Exposed Across Lagos
On public infrastructure safety, Daramola revealed that about 6,000 manholes across Lagos State are currently exposed due to vandalism and theft of covers.
He said the government has replaced about 4,000 of the affected manholes with fibre-reinforced covers, while efforts are ongoing to address the remaining 2,000.
“We are working to replace all exposed manholes and improve safety across the state. It requires joint effort, including stakeholder engagement to prevent vandalism and theft of government property,” he said.
He added that the government is collaborating with relevant ministries, agencies and law enforcement authorities to strengthen the protection of public infrastructure and curb acts of vandalism across the state.