Exclusive: Osolo Way in Ruins As Traders and Motorists Cry Out

Motorists and business owners in Osolo Way, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, are raising their voices in frustration as the once-busy artery into Aswani Market has been left in a state of collapse.

Also Read: Senate Committee Inspects Ongoing NDDC Road Projects in Cross River State

During the rainy season, the situation turns dire, with blocked drainage channels spilling dirt and stormwater onto the road, crippling movement for both vehicles and pedestrians.

When RoadKing.ng visited the scene, the stretch resembled a waterlogged construction site rather than a functioning city road. Floodwater mixed with refuse covered large portions of the carriageway, forcing cars and tricycles into dangerous zigzags while pedestrians carefully waded through.

Motorists Count the Cost

For many commercial drivers and tricycle operators, the road has become a money pit. A tricycle operator, Shina, lamented how the poor road repeatedly damages his vehicle:

“The road is really bad. My keke keeps breaking down, and I spend heavily on repairs. I’ve repaired it countless times because of this same stretch. The drainage system here is terrible, and until that is fixed, any construction won’t last.”

He added that the contractor handling the project seemed overwhelmed and unqualified:

“The work is poor. There is no direct channel for water, so runoff from Ilasa floods into Osolo Way. Heavy trailers also pass here, yet the road is being done without proper reinforcements.”

Shina urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to prioritize drainage solutions and ensure that skilled contractors handle the rehabilitation.

Businesses on the Brink

For business owners along the corridor, the impact is just as devastating. Uzoamaka, a shop owner, explained how the condition of the road has persisted for years:

“Every rainy season, we suffer. Customers avoid coming here, transport fares double, and we lose money daily. The road is a lifeline to Aswani market but look at the state it is in. It has been abandoned.”

The congestion has become routine, with long queues forming as vehicles struggle to maneuver through flooded and cratered sections. Residents note that the situation not only hurts businesses but also fuels insecurity at night, as stranded commuters become easy targets.

A Pattern of Neglect

Osolo Way’s decline reflects a broader pattern of infrastructural neglect across Lagos’ inner markets and residential roads. Despite government promises, substandard construction, weak drainage planning, and delayed supervision continue to plague road projects. Locals fear that unless urgent interventions are made, Osolo Way may completely collapse, cutting off access to one of the state’s busiest market hubs.

RoadKing.ng Analysis

The crisis on Osolo Way is not just about potholes, it’s about governance, accountability, and the failure to design roads fit for Lagos’ heavy rains and traffic density. Unless the state government ensures:

• Proper drainage engineering,
• Use of reinforced materials for trailer-heavy routes,
• Transparent contractor supervision,

…residents will continue to waste millions on vehicle repairs, while businesses bleed losses.