KEY POINTS

• Lagos State will divert traffic on parts of Lagos Island on December 22, 2025, for the Lagos Autofest street race

• Movement will be restricted around Inner Marina, Marina Road and Kakawa Street between noon and 7 pm

• Traffic agencies and security operatives will be deployed, with motorists advised to use alternative routes

The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary traffic diversion on parts of Lagos Island ahead of the seventh road edition of the Lagos Autofest 2025 Race, as the state steps up preparations to host one of its biggest annual motorsport events.

The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 22, 2025, and is expected to attract motorsport enthusiasts, tourists and residents to the Marina axis of the state capital. Organisers say the event is part of ongoing efforts to promote sports tourism and showcase Lagos as a hub for international-standard street racing.

In a traffic advisory issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and shared on its official X platform, the government said vehicular movement would be restricted around Inner Marina, Marina Road and Kakawa Street between noon and 7 pm to allow for a smooth and safe race.

The ministry said, “Ahead of the seventh road edition of the Lagos Autofest 2025 Race scheduled for Sunday, December 22, 2025, the Lagos State Government has rolled out a traffic advisory to effectively manage vehicular movement around Inner Marina, Marina Road and Kakawa Street, Lagos Island, between the hours of 12 noon and 7 pm.”

Managing closures along key routes

According to the advisory, there will be a temporary road closure along designated race routes, including Marina Road near the UBA axis, Kakawa Street, Balabina Street, Broad Street and Issah Williams Street, before returning to Inner Marina, which will serve as the end point of the race.

The ministry explained that, “All junctions and intersections from Marina Road near UBA to Broad Street at Inner Marina will be cordoned off with road barriers to restrict access to the main race corridor.” It added that the measures were necessary to ensure the safety of drivers, spectators and officials during the event.

Traffic management and security agencies have been mobilised to reduce disruption and maintain order. Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps will be deployed across the affected corridors to guide motorists and enforce the diversions.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation said the presence of the agencies would help to “ensure orderly traffic control, quick response to incidents and minimal impact on the overall flow of traffic on Lagos Island.”

The government also urged motorists to plan their journeys in advance and consider alternative routes during the period of the race. Residents and business owners within the Marina and Broad Street areas were advised to cooperate with traffic officials and comply with all directives issued on the day.

Lagos Autofest has grown steadily since its inception, with previous editions drawing large crowds and international attention. The state government has repeatedly said the event aligns with its broader agenda to diversify the economy through tourism, entertainment and creative sports, while also projecting Lagos as a global city capable of hosting complex outdoor events.