KEY POINTS
- Third Mainland Bridge CCTV centre cost ₦40 billion.
- Project enables real-time surveillance and traffic monitoring.
- Facility is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s federal government has inaugurated a ₦40 billion closed-circuit television control centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, marking a major expansion of surveillance and safety infrastructure on one of Africa’s busiest urban bridges.
The facility, unveiled on Sunday, anchors a broader monitoring system installed on the bridge in 2025, when the government announced the deployment of CCTV cameras aimed at improving security, enforcing traffic rules and preventing suicide attempts. Footage from the cameras will be monitored in real time by security personnel.
Speaking at the event, Works Minister David Umahi said the administration inherited infrastructure in poor condition when it took office in 2023, citing the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge as examples.
According to Umahi, President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive reassessment and rehabilitation of the bridges, including resurfacing and replacing expansion joints, and he said workers have since completed the work to high standards.
Third Mainland Bridge CCTV project details
Umahi said the CCTV project forms part of a wider effort to ensure continuous oversight of activities on the bridge, including excessive speeding, which he described as a growing concern. He urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations to reduce accidents.
The minister praised China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for executing the project and said the company will hand over contract assets, including a surveillance boat and two Hilux vans, to the police to support operations. Other security agencies may also participate as needed.
“The idea is that we have a lay-by on the bridge, so we can view everything going on,” Umahi said.
Third Mainland Bridge CCTV first of its kind
Olufemi Dare, the federal controller of works in Lagos, described the facility as the first of its kind on any bridge in Nigeria. He said the system monitors both the bridge deck and underwater structures.
A mix of solar and conventional energy sources powers the control centre, including 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, a 300 KVA transformer, and a standby generator. The project also includes 1,268 solar streetlights, borehole facilities and multiple monitoring screens within a fully air-conditioned building.
Dare said the contract was awarded at ₦40.17 billion, with ₦36 billion already paid to the contractor. He added that the inauguration marks the first phase of commissioning, with further work planned as rehabilitation of bridge extensions nears completion.
