Manny Ita
The Federal Government on Sunday, January 11, 2026, inaugurated a N40.17 billion closed-circuit television control centre for round-the-clock surveillance of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, marking the completion of the bridge’s extensive rehabilitation programme that began in 2023.
The facility, constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and is designed to provide comprehensive monitoring of the bridge, including both the bridge deck and its underwater structural components.
Commissioning the project, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the control centre represents the final phase of the rehabilitation works and is intended to significantly improve safety and security on the 11.8-kilometre bridge, which is one of the busiest transport corridors in the country.
The surveillance system is equipped with high-definition cameras to monitor traffic flow, check excessive speeding and deter criminal activities, including “one-chance” robberies. The cameras are also configured to assist security agencies in identifying and responding to attempts to jump from the bridge.
To ensure uninterrupted operations, the control centre is powered by 240 solar panels and 10 inverters, supported by a 300kVA transformer and a standby generator. As part of the project, 1,268 solar-powered streetlights have been installed along the entire stretch of the bridge to improve visibility and safety during night-time travel.
The contract also includes the provision of a surveillance boat and two Hilux patrol vans, which have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force. According to the Federal Controller of Works, Olufemi Dare, the integrated system is designed to activate emergency responses within “two to three minutes” of any incident detected on the bridge.
The commissioning comes five days after a major safety incident on the bridge. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, a high-capacity bus operated by Lagos Bus Services Limited caught fire near the Adekunle axis of the bridge at about 1:00 p.m. Although the bus was completely destroyed by the fire, all passengers were evacuated safely, and no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
The incident caused heavy traffic congestion toward the Iyana Oworo axis for several hours before officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority cleared the scene. Lagos Bus Services Limited subsequently announced that it had launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire involving vehicle code 240057, which was travelling from Obalende to Oshodi.
Officials said the new CCTV control centre is expected to play a critical role in addressing recurring security concerns on the bridge, particularly the activities of “one-chance” criminals who exploit unauthorised stopping points to rob commuters. By enabling real-time monitoring of lay-bys and exit points, security agencies can now track suspicious vehicles and respond more quickly to incidents.
Umahi noted that while the first level of commissioning has been completed, a second phase of the project would follow to extend surveillance coverage to the bridge’s extension, further strengthening safety measures along the corridor.
