Traffic Restrictions in Ikeja as Lagos Hosts Capital City Race

The Lagos State Government will enforce temporary traffic closures across parts of Ikeja on Saturday as the second Capital City Race takes place, with officials assuring residents that diversions will be managed in phases to reduce disruption.

The 10-kilometre race, held under the theme “One Run Many Journey”, is scheduled between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and will begin at the Ikeja Shopping Mall before coursing through Billings Way, Kudirat Abiola Way, the Opebi Link Bridge, Adeniyi Jones, and Oba Akran by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. It will finish at the Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church on Oba Akinjobi Way.

In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola, and released through the Ministry of Transportation, the government said sections of the route would be shut intermittently as athletes move along the course. It added that adjoining streets would remain open to prevent a gridlock across the Ikeja axis.

A combined team from the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority will oversee traffic flow, assist motorists, and enforce all diversions.

Officials urged residents to plan their trips ahead of time and comply with instructions issued by traffic personnel on duty.

Organisers of the Capital City Race have confirmed that prize money totalling N2m has been set aside for top finishers.

Winners in both the men’s and women’s categories will receive N500,000 each, second-place runners will earn N300,000, and third-place finishers will take home N200,000.

Speaking at a recent briefing at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the event aligns with the health priorities of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

“Promoting physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle among our residents is a core mandate and is a significant item on the agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration,” he said.

Convener of the race, Dapo Ajayi, described the competition as a platform to promote fitness, tourism, and community participation, noting that the race “isn’t about running alone” but about “showing up, getting started and then pushing through to the finish line”.