Frustration is mounting across border communities in Lagos and Ogun States following the sudden implementation of toll charges on the Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda–Epe Road by the Ogun State Government, with a protest scheduled for May 31.

Stakeholders from Lagos Epe Division have voiced strong opposition to the new toll policy, highlighting concerns over economic hardship, lack of transparency, and the continued silence from Ogun State authorities despite previous consultations.

The affected road corridor spans from the Fari Expressway in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to Mojoda, which connects directly to Epe in Lagos State. While the Lagos section of the road from Epe to Mojoda was rehabilitated during former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's administration, the Ogun section—a 14.7-kilometer stretch from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode—was completed under Governor Dapo Abiodun's leadership.

Controversial Toll Rates

The Ogun State Government began collecting tolls without prior notice or public engagement, sparking widespread criticism. The current rates—N1,000 for cars and standard buses, N1,500 for mini buses, and N2,500 for trucks and trailers—have been described by commuters and residents as excessive and burdensome.

Tensions escalated on April 30, 2025, when a stakeholders' meeting was convened at Rolak Hotel in Ijebu-Ode. The gathering brought together civil society groups under the Coalition of Epe Division Groups and other concerned delegations who submitted a formal communique to Ogun officials, articulating their opposition to the toll charges and requesting reconsideration.

At the meeting, representatives of the Ogun State Government requested one week to deliberate and provide a response. However, nearly a month later, no feedback has been forthcoming.

"The Ogun State Government pleaded for time, but several weeks have passed and nothing has been heard. The continued silence is both disappointing and disrespectful," a spokesperson for the coalition stated, expressing growing frustration over the lack of engagement from state authorities.

Planned Protest

In response to the deadlock, civil society organizations and community leaders have announced plans for a peaceful protest scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2025. Protesters will gather at Mojoda Garage, a symbolic location at the boundary between Ogun and Lagos States, to demand fairness, transparency, and community inclusion in infrastructure-related decisions.

Multiple attempts to obtain a response from the Ogun State Government have been unsuccessful, with officials remaining unreachable at the time of reporting.

The situation highlights growing tensions between government infrastructure development initiatives and community concerns about accessibility and affordability, particularly in border areas where residents regularly commute between states.