Audit Reveals ₦129m Spent on Obalende Underbridge Despite Lack of Visible Progress
Official budget performance documents from the Lagos State Government have revealed that approximately ₦129 million was expended in 2025 for the "Landscaping & Beautification of Obalende Underbridge and Setback." Despite this substantial financial outlay by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), recent on-site inspections indicate a total absence of physical development or aesthetic improvement at the designated location.
The project in question is closely linked to the proposed "Obalende Yello Park," a modern transport hub and public space initiative intended to be a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project fully sponsored by MTN Nigeria. The discrepancy between the state’s reported expenditure and the lack of visible work has raised concerns regarding fiscal transparency and project coordination.
Breakdown of 2025 Budget Expenditure
According to the Lagos State 2025 Budget Performance report, the line item for the landscaping and beautification of the Obalende underbridge had an initial approved budget of ₦194.2 million. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, the executing agency, LASPARK, had utilized ₦129 million of the allocated funds.
The expenditure was distributed across the fiscal year as follows:
Q1 and Q2: ₦45.227 million
Q3: ₦23.256 million
Q4: ₦60.55 million
Despite these payments, an investigation by The Guardian found that the Obalende bus stop and underbridge remain in a state of disrepair, with no evidence of the landscaping or "beautification" described in the budget line.
The Proposed Yello Park Transformation
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, previously outlined a vision for Obalende to become a "truly mega city" transport hub. The proposed Yello Park is designed to feature:
Regulated bus operations and solar-powered energy systems.
Recyclable drop-off stations and extensive tree planting to improve air quality.
Security outposts for KAI and the Neighborhood Safety Agency.
Public toilets and kiosks to eliminate open defecation and informal trading.
While the Commissioner stated that the project is community centered and aimed at reducing crime, the state government recently announced the formation of a technical committee to "fast-track" construction. This further complicates the narrative of why ₦129 million was already recorded as spent in 2025 for activities that seemingly fall under the purview of this upcoming construction.
Institutional Response and Accountability
When prompted for clarification regarding the ₦129 million expenditure, the Public Affairs Officer for LASPARK, Mrs. Bakare, requested a formal letter of inquiry to provide a detailed response. Although a formal request was reportedly acknowledged by the agency, no specific explanation for the fund utilization has been provided as of the latest reporting.
Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, recently emphasized that all involved agencies must work in tandem with MTN to ensure project goals are met. However, the current findings suggest a potential overlap or lack of clarity between state-funded maintenance and the privately funded CSR transformation.
Conclusion and Forward-Looking Perspective
The Obalende bus stop remains one of the busiest transit points in Lagos, connecting the Mainland to major business districts in Ikoyi and Victoria Island. While Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed a commitment to restoring order to the area, the disconnect between recorded budget spending and physical reality remains a critical point of concern for taxpayers and urban planning stakeholders. Ensuring that public funds align with tangible infrastructure improvements will be essential as the Yello Park technical committee moves toward its 21-week construction timeline.
