The Federal Government has inaugurated a ₦40 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) control center on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, aiming to enhance security, monitor traffic, and prevent suicide attempts. The inauguration took place on Sunday, January 12, 2026, and marks a significant step in the ongoing rehabilitation and modernization of the city’s busiest transport route.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, explained that the project follows extensive rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge, which began in 2023. “When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge… The President directed total re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the surfaces and replacement of expansion joints. Lagosians were very happy with that work,” he said.
The CCTV system, first announced in 2025, allows security personnel to monitor live footage of the bridge and surrounding waters in real time. Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, confirmed that the facility is the first of its kind on a Nigerian bridge. “I doubt if there is any bridge in Nigeria that has what we have deployed here today, where you have CCTV to monitor both the underwater and even the bridge itself,” Dare said.
The control center includes:
- A surveillance boat and two Hilux vans for rapid response
- 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, and a 300 kVA transformer
- A standby generator for uninterrupted operations
- Air-conditioned monitoring rooms with multiple screens for live feeds
- 1,268 solar-powered streetlights and a borehole facility
According to officials, the CCTV system can detect incidents in real time, enabling faster intervention by security and emergency personnel. The surveillance equipment and vehicles will be handed over to the police to support monitoring and traffic enforcement along the bridge.
The contract for the project was awarded at ₦40.17 billion, with approximately ₦36 billion already paid to the contractor. Umahi noted that the inauguration represents the first phase of the initiative, with full commissioning scheduled after completion of the bridge extension.
The Third Mainland Bridge, along with Carter and Iddo bridges, underwent comprehensive rehabilitation under the current administration, including structural evaluation and restoration above and below the water. The programme, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aimed to extend the lifespan of the bridge and improve driving conditions for commuters.
Officials emphasized the system’s role in traffic compliance and road safety, warning motorists against excessive speeding. “The idea is that we can see everything that is happening on the bridge,” Umahi said.
The inauguration marks the operational launch of the CCTV control center, providing Lagos authorities with tools for real-time monitoring, security, and rapid response on one of the city’s most critical transport corridors. Full commissioning and additional capabilities are expected once the bridge extension is completed.