Thousands of commuters and motorists were stranded for hours on Sunday after severe traffic congestion brought movement to a near standstill along the Mile 2-Apapa highway, one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors.
Residents, business owners and road users blamed the worsening gridlock on the growing number of container terminals operating along the Berger/Kirikiri corridor. They said trucks transporting empty containers regularly occupy major sections of the road, causing persistent traffic jams despite the presence of traffic management and security agencies.
Many frustrated commuters abandoned their journeys and returned home after spending hours trapped in the congestion.
An auto dealer, Ekene Iruanya, said the traffic situation worsened after multiple container terminals began operating in the area. According to him, trucks heading to the terminals frequently block the highway, making it difficult for traffic officials from the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Navy and other agencies to restore free movement.
He called on the government to review the location of the terminals, arguing that relocating them or reducing their operations would significantly ease traffic along the corridor.
However, a representative of one of the container terminal operators denied that the facility was solely responsible for the congestion. The official explained that the terminal currently receives between 150 and 200 empty containers daily because several nearby terminals are no longer operating at full capacity.
The representative added that the terminal has limited storage space and can only accept new containers after previously stored ones have been moved to the ports. He also noted that many trucks contributing to the traffic belong to independent transport operators rather than the terminal itself.
The official said better traffic coordination and stricter enforcement against indiscriminate parking could improve traffic flow.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said it is working with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to tackle the recurring congestion along the Mile 2-Apapa corridor.
NPA spokesman Ikechukwu Onyemechara said authorities have strengthened collaboration through a joint communication platform that enables agencies to respond quickly whenever traffic incidents occur on port access roads.
He also acknowledged that enforcing sanctions against erring tanker operators remains difficult, as such actions often trigger threats of industrial action that could disrupt fuel distribution across the country.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), meanwhile, said it was investigating the cause of the congestion after preliminary information suggested many of the affected vehicles were tanker trucks heading to nearby tank farms rather than cargo trucks bound for the ports.
Authorities say discussions with stakeholders are continuing as efforts intensify to find a lasting solution to one of Lagos’ most persistent traffic challenges.
