US–Iran conflict begins to affect Lagos infrastructure projects, says State Government

The Lagos State Government has said that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is starting to affect some of its key infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital on Lagos Island.

 

The government also explained the delay in opening the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge, saying the facility remains closed because connecting roads are still under construction.

 

The disclosures were made on Monday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in Ikeja.

 

Speaking at the briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, said the hospital project had suffered delays due to difficulties in importing key construction materials.

 

According to him, documentation from the contractor indicated that the disruption was linked to the ongoing US–Iran conflict.

 

“The contractor, according to documents made available to us, has experienced delays in importing necessary construction materials due to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran,” Olayinka said.

 

The Massey Children’s Hospital project involves the redevelopment of the existing facility into a seven-storey specialist paediatric hospital expected to become the largest of its kind in Nigeria upon completion.

 

Olayinka said despite the challenges, the project had recorded significant progress and created about 750 jobs.

 

He also said another major health project, a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo, had generated around 600 jobs.

 

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he said the administration remained focused on delivering modern healthcare infrastructure despite global economic and geopolitical pressures.

 

“The Sanwo-Olu administration has demonstrated that the restoration of public health facilities remains a priority,” he said.

 

On the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Olufemi Daramola, explained that the facility cannot yet be opened to traffic because key connecting roads are still under construction.

 

He listed the affected roads as Salvation Road, Adeola Street, Toyin Street, and an adjoining monument project.

 

Daramola said the bridge would be opened once all associated infrastructure is completed.

 

He added that since 2019, the state had delivered 362 roads covering about 347 kilometres, while 130 roads spanning 113 kilometres were completed in the past year alone.

 

According to him, several major road projects across Lagos—including the Eti-Osa–Lekki–Epe Expressway, Gberigbe Road in Ikorodu, and the Ijegun-Ijagemo and Akesan-Igando corridors—are at advanced stages and awaiting commissioning.