Tension on the Highway: Protesters Paralyze Epe–Ijebu Ode Expressway Over Controversial Toll Charges


By Sultan Teslim 

Mojoda, Lagos. 


Intense protests erupted on Saturday along the Epe–Ijebu Ode Expressway, as residents, traders, and commercial drivers rallied against newly imposed toll charges by the Ogun State Government, effectively paralyzing vehicular movement for several hours.

The demonstration, which took place at Mojoda, saw protesters barricading a major stretch of the expressway with tires and makeshift obstacles, resulting in severe gridlock and bringing traffic to a halt.

The tolling policy, implemented on March 24, 2025, followed the completion of the 14.7-kilometre Epe–Mojoda–Ijebu Ode Expressway’s reconstruction into a dual carriageway. Government officials have defended the move, citing the need for sustainable road maintenance and efficient infrastructure management.

However, the new charges have sparked outrage among road users, who describe them as economically oppressive and unjust. Demonstrators say the toll was introduced without adequate public engagement and has led to increased transport costs and a decline in livelihoods.

“This road is not a luxury for us—it’s a necessity,” said a commercial driver at the protest. “We are not here to negotiate fees. We want the toll completely abolished.”

Many residents argue that the policy disproportionately affects low-income earners, small-scale traders, and commercial transport operators who rely heavily on the road for daily activities.

Although security personnel were eventually deployed to disperse the crowd and reopen the expressway, protesters warned that similar actions could recur if the toll is not revoked.

As of the time of this report, the Ogun State Government has not issued an official statement in response to the protest or the growing demands for policy reversal.

The unfolding unrest highlights the challenge of balancing infrastructural development with the economic burden placed on citizens. Community stakeholders are calling on the state government to open dialogue and find an inclusive path forward to prevent further escalation.


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