A breakdown on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of the most stressful situations a driver can face. The road is fast-moving, heavily used by trucks and trailers, and has sections with limited hard shoulder. Knowing exactly what to do in the first few minutes can protect lives and reduce the chance of a secondary crash.The moment you realise the car is failing, stay calm. Do not slam the brakes.
Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, switch on your hazard lights immediately, and gently steer the vehicle as far to the right as safely possible. If you can reach the hard shoulder or a wider section of the verge, do so. If the car dies in a live lane, you must still try to move it off the main carriageway using any remaining momentum or by carefully pushing it with help from passengers while hazards remain on.Once the vehicle is as far off the road as possible, switch off the engine. Exit the car from the side away from traffic if you can. Make sure all passengers leave the vehicle and stand well clear of the road, preferably behind a barrier or at a safe distance up the embankment. Never stand between the broken-down vehicle and oncoming traffic.
Place your C-caution (warning triangle) a good distance behind the vehicle. On a high-speed road like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, put it much farther back than you would in town ideally 50 to 100 metres or more if visibility allows so approaching drivers have enough time to react. If you have reflective triangles or additional warning devices, use them. At night or in poor weather, the triangle and hazard lights become even more critical.
Call for professional help immediately. The FRSC emergency number is 122 (toll-free from any network). Give your exact location as clearly as possible mention nearby landmarks such as Kara, Magboro, Arepo, Redemption Camp, or kilometre markers if you can see them. You can also call the national emergency number 112. Share your live location with a trusted family member or friend so someone knows where you are.While waiting, stay visible and stay off the road. Wear a reflective jacket if you have one. Keep children and elderly passengers away from the traffic side. Do not attempt major repairs on the live carriageway. Simple checks such as overheating, a flat tyre, or an obvious loose connection can sometimes be handled if it is safe, but anything more complex should wait for proper assistance.
Be cautious of strangers who approach offering help. While many people are genuine, the expressway also attracts opportunistic individuals who may inflate problems or pressure you into expensive towing and repairs. It is better to wait for FRSC, a known recovery service, or your own trusted mechanic or insurance provider’s roadside assistance. If you must accept help, agree on any costs clearly beforehand and stay with your vehicle and belongings at all times.If the breakdown happens at night, the risks multiply. Visibility is lower, reaction times are longer, and criminal activity can increase on quieter stretches. This is why FRSC repeatedly advises against unnecessary night travel on this corridor. If you are stranded after dark, remain inside the locked vehicle with hazards on only if it is safer than standing outside, and keep calling for official help until assistance arrives.
Prevention remains the best strategy. Before any long trip on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, check your tyres (including the spare), coolant level, engine oil, battery terminals, and lights. Carry a functional fire extinguisher, warning triangle, basic tools, a charged power bank, drinking water, and a first-aid kit. Join a reliable roadside assistance scheme if you travel the route regularly.
A breakdown does not have to become a disaster. Move the vehicle off the carriageway if possible, make yourself visible, call 122, keep everyone clear of traffic, and wait for proper help. These simple actions protect you, your passengers, and other road users on one of Nigeria’s busiest and most demanding highways.
Drive prepared, stay alert, and treat every journey on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with the respect it requires. Reaching your destination safely is always more important than arriving quickly.