Ogun youths protest months after gov’s road repair pledge

Some youths under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ogun West Senatorial District, have urged the Ogun State Government to fulfil its January 2026 promise to reconstruct the Abeokuta–Olorunda–Imeko Road, lamenting that the route has deteriorated further months after the announcement.

The youths gathered in their numbers along the Alamala axis of the expressway on Saturday to protest the deplorable state of the road, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Good road is our right, not a privilege”, “Our road is a death trap -FG save us” and “No good road, no progress” among others.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the State Vice Chairman of the NYCN in Ogun West, Kehinde Olorunjubelo, urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide an update on the project and take concrete steps towards its implementation.

Olorunjubelo recalled that Abiodun, during the commissioning of the Afon Township Road in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to prepare an estimate for the reconstruction of the road.

According to him, the governor had said the estimate would be presented at the next State Executive Council meeting, with construction expected to commence immediately.

However, he said several months had passed without visible action on the commitment, while the road’s condition had worsened.

“Several months have passed since that announcement, and the deplorable condition of the road has become worse without any action as pledged to the good people of Imeko-Afon and the general public,” he said.

The youth leader described the road as a major link between Yewa North and Imeko-Afon local government areas and the state capital, adding that its poor condition was affecting residents, traders, farmers and students.

He said commuters faced difficult journeys, while the damaged sections increased transportation costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and the risks associated with travelling along the route.

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Olorunjubelo called on the state and Federal Governments to intervene urgently, urging the relevant authorities to assess the road, address its most dangerous sections and provide a clear timeline for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

He also called for adequate drainage and erosion-control measures to prevent further deterioration.

“The people of Ogun West have heard your promise, and they are looking forward to seeing it translated into action. We respectfully appeal for urgent intervention because the safety, livelihoods, and well-being of our people cannot continue to wait,” he said.

The NYCN official stressed that the demand was not politically motivated but aimed at addressing the hardship faced by communities that depend on the road for transportation, trade, education and access to essential services.

He urged the government to communicate the status of the project, the steps being taken towards its execution and the expected timeline.

Olorunjubelo also appealed to the media to sustain attention on the road, while urging youths in the area to remain peaceful and pursue their demands through constructive engagement with the authorities.

He said the council would continue to engage relevant authorities until meaningful progress was made towards the reconstruction of the road.

The Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko road connects Nigeria to the Benin Republic through Ilara town in Imeko-Afon LGA and serves as a critical road for commercial activities.