When the Nigerian government began building the Third Mainland Bridge in the 1980s under President Shehu Shagari, many Nigerians opposed the project. The popular refrain at the time was, “Na bridge we go chop?” — a reflection of a consumption-first mentality that prioritized immediate needs over long-term development.
But imagine Lagos today without the Third Mainland Bridge. The city would be crippled by unmanageable traffic and congestion. That single project, once criticized as unnecessary, has become one of Lagos’s most essential lifelines.
The lesson is clear: the infrastructure we enjoy today exists because it was built yesterday, despite protests, skepticism, and short-sighted opposition. Conversely, the infrastructure we lack today is a direct result of what was never built in the past.
Resistance to Progress
History shows that resistance often greets transformative projects. The Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge faced multiple court cases and street protests before its completion. Yet today, it is hard to imagine traffic on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue without that bridge. Without it, Lagos commuters would face near-total gridlock.
The same can be said of Murtala Muhammed Airport’s Terminal 5. Before it opened, there were demonstrations and arrests of protesters who opposed the project. Today, it stands as a vital facility, creating jobs, easing pressure on other terminals, and improving Nigeria’s aviation capacity.
Progress is rarely welcomed at first. People may resist change, but infrastructure — by definition — serves the overriding public interest.
What Lagos Urgently Needs
That said, foresight must continue to guide decision-making. Lagos urgently requires underground tunnels, overhead rail tracks, and stable electricity infrastructure to cope with its population growth and economic weight. Without bold investments in these areas, the city risks stagnation under the burden of its own success.
Comparisons are instructive. In Abuja, recent efforts under the current administration — wider roads, bridges, and improved space management — have eased commutes and enhanced urban life. Development may be disruptive at first, but over time it brings increased value, better services, and improved quality of life.
The Cost of Shortsightedness
When leaders lack foresight, development is buried in hindsight. Every delay in building essential infrastructure today becomes a heavier cost tomorrow. To break this cycle, Nigeria must prioritize bold, forward-looking projects and overcome the short-term mentality that hinders progress.
As citizens, we must also learn to recognize genuine progress when it happens. Opposition for its own sake is no virtue, and hypocrisy is as damaging to development as corruption or neglect.
The message is simple: infrastructure is sacrifice today for survival tomorrow. And in a nation as dynamic as Nigeria, the cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of progress.
Original post by Ali Baba
