Lagos Residents Hope For Traffic Relief As Blue Line Target Three New Stations In 2027
By Sherif Salau
Residents along the Mile 2–Badagry corridor in Lagos are expected to benefit from improved rail connectivity as three new stations on the Blue Line rail network are scheduled to commence operations by the end of February 2027.
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo, announced the timeline during a media parley organised by the state Ministry of Transportation.
The new stations, located at FESTAC, Alakija and Trade Fair, form part of Phase 2 of the Blue Line project, which is designed to extend passenger services beyond the existing Mile 2 terminus.
Their commencement of operations will increase the number of active stations on the Blue Line from five to eight, providing residents and commuters along the corridor with greater access to rail transportation.
The existing Blue Line runs from Marina through National Theatre, Iganmu and Alaba to Mile 2. Commercial operations began in September 2023, offering passengers an alternative to road transportation and reducing travel time along the operational corridor.
The extension is expected to improve connectivity for residents of FESTAC, Alakija and surrounding communities, while providing easier access to commercial centres, including the International Trade Fair Complex.
According to Akinajo, the expansion will strengthen public transportation and improve access to mass transit for more Lagos residents.
Phase 2 of the project covers an approximately 14-kilometre extension from Mile 2 towards Okokomaiko. Beyond the three stations scheduled for completion in February 2027, the planned corridor includes additional stations at Volkswagen, Lagos State University and Okokomaiko, as well as a maintenance depot.
However, LAMATA has yet to announce definite opening dates for the remaining stations along the extension.
The Blue Line expansion is part of the Lagos State Government’s broader investment in an integrated public transportation system aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility across the state.
LAMATA has also reported progress on four Quality Bus Corridors and interchange hubs at Marina and Mile 2, which are expected to facilitate transfers between rail and bus services.
For residents and businesses along the Mile 2–Badagry corridor, the additional stations are expected to improve access to employment centres, schools, markets and other essential destinations.
The project is also expected to provide commuters with an alternative to congested roads, where prolonged traffic delays often affect daily activities and business operations.
Meeting the February 2027 deadline will depend on the completion of outstanding construction works, installation of railway systems and the necessary testing before passenger services begin.
The planned opening of the FESTAC, Alakija and Trade Fair stations would mark a significant milestone in the expansion of Lagos’ urban rail network, extending the benefits of electric rail transportation to more communities along the western corridor.
