The Lagos State Government has issued a comprehensive traffic advisory ahead of the Ajegunle City Youth Marathon, scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 13, beginning at 6:00 a.m.
The race, organised by the Society for Information and Human Advancement, will traverse several major and inner-city routes within Ajegunle, prompting temporary road closures and controlled diversions to ensure the safety of athletes and maintain order throughout the event.
The traffic notice, released on Friday through the official X (formerly Twitter), handle of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, detailed a series of planned diversions aimed at minimising congestion while supporting the smooth conduct of the marathon.
Road Closures and Affected Areas
According to the Ministry of Transportation, partial closures will affect several critical corridors from the starting point at Maracana Stadium to the finish line at Signal Barracks on Ojo Road. The affected areas include:
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Maracana Stadium axis
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Ojoku Street
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Baale Road (including the Secretariat axis)
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Kirikiri Road
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Wilmer Link Bridge
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Okito Street
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Kopariwo Street
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Mba/Cardoso Street
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Cemetery Street
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Ojora Street
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Baale Aiyetoro Street
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Olowojeunjeje Street
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Oduduwa Street
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Layinka Street
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Cemetery Road
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Bakare Faro Street
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Adejiyan Street
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Ishaga Street
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Onishapa Street
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Itire Street
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Ojo Road (up to Signal Barracks)
The government noted that all junctions and intersections along the stretch between Maracana Stadium and Signal Barracks will be partially closed and closely managed by personnel from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNC).
However, these access points will be opened intermittently to allow for controlled traffic flow as conditions permit, ensuring that motorists are not entirely cut off from movement within the area.
Alternative Routes for Motorists
To minimise delays and reduce congestion during the event, motorists have been advised to consider the following diversion routes:
1. From Berger/Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to Olodi Apapa via Kirikiri:
Turn right into Industrial Road, connect Idewu Street, proceed through Oluwa Street, link Tolu Road, and rejoin Baale Road.
2. From Suru-Alaba (Lagos-Badagry Expressway), to Gaskiya and Iganmu Roads:
A contraflow will be created along Cemetery Road from the Technoil turnoff to the roundabout.
3. From Suru-Alaba heading towards Ojo Road:
Turn left before Signal Barracks into Charles Avenue, link Ligali Street, continue through Evie Street, join Abeje Street, and re-enter Ojo Road.
Government Assurance and Commuter Advisory
The Lagos State Government has assured residents and commuters that disruptions will be kept to a minimum, emphasising that traffic officers will be strategically deployed across the marathon corridor to assist movement and enforce diversion measures.
Road users are urged to remain patient, obey designated diversion signs, and cooperate fully with traffic officials to ensure a safe, orderly, and hitch-free marathon experience for both participants and the wider community.