Abule Egba Bus Terminal: A Testament To Urban Renewal And Public Pride

By Olugbenga Oludare Ojo

The unveiling of the Abule Egba Bus Terminal by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in February 2025 marked yet another leap forward in Lagos State’s continued quest for modernity and order in public transportation. Nestled strategically along the Oshodi–Abule Egba corridor, this terminal is more than just a transport hub – it is an emblem of what is possible when vision meets will.

For a long time, commuting in Lagos has been synonymous with chaos, discomfort, and unpredictability. From rickety buses to uncoordinated stops and poorly regulated loading points, the average Lagosian commuter has come to expect stress as part of their daily routine. The Abule Egba terminal challenges that narrative. With its clean architectural lines, spacious design, and commendable integration with other transit systems, most notably the Lagos Red Line, the terminal offers something that Lagosians are not used to: dignity in public transport.

The terminal’s design reflects both thoughtfulness and intentionality. It features dedicated loading bays to reduce street congestion, waiting areas that provide genuine comfort, commercial outlets to cater to the needs of commuters, and modern conveniences such as clean lavatories and a water treatment facility. The inclusion of green energy infrastructure speaks volumes about the state government’s tentative steps toward environmental responsibility.

Yet, what truly stands out is the experience the space seeks to create. One cannot ignore the silent pride that comes with walking through a clean, secure, and orderly facility that rivals those found in many developed nations. It restores a sense of dignity to the commuter. It tells us, quietly but firmly, that Lagosians deserve better, and that better is now within reach.

The timing of the terminal’s inauguration, alongside the announcement of a 30% reduction in the fare for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line, is also noteworthy. It offers more than infrastructure, it provides relief. In these trying economic times, where every naira counts, the fare reduction is a gesture of empathy and social awareness. It reinforces the notion that government can, and indeed should, respond to the pulse of its people.

However, a beautiful bus terminal, no matter how sophisticated, cannot succeed in isolation. For this infrastructure to truly thrive, the people of Abule Egba, and indeed all Lagosians, must own it. This means protecting it from vandalism, using it responsibly, and instilling a sense of shared stewardship. It is not enough for government to build; the people must preserve.

Moreover, the success of the Abule Egba terminal should serve as a template. Other terminals, in Ikeja, Ajah, Oshodi, and Ifako Ijaiye, must be maintained to the same standard. And more importantly, every other part of Lagos not yet touched by this wave of renewal must not be left behind. Urban planning must be inclusive, equitable, and far-reaching.

In all, the Abule Egba Bus Terminal is not just a piece of infrastructure; it is a symbol of a city slowly but surely coming into its own. It tells a story of what happens when leadership listens, plans, and delivers. And more significantly, it offers hope, that in the dense madness of Lagos traffic, order can rise; and in a state so often defined by its challenges, beauty can emerge.

Let us nurture it. Let us replicate it. And let us not forget that what we build, we must also sustain.

Èkó mi, Èkó ẹ…