The bustling Iyana Ipaja bus stop, one of Lagos’s busiest transport interchanges, remains a scene of chaos, resilience, and survival for thousands of commuters and traders who pass through it every day.

From the early hours of the morning until late at night, the area overflows with passengers jostling for commercial buses and tricycles heading to destinations such as Agege, Oshodi, Egbeda, Ikeja, and Lagos Island. Gridlock on the expressway often spills into adjoining streets, worsening congestion and significantly increasing travel time for residents.

Commuters who spoke with The Guardian expressed frustration over the situation. “Every morning, it is like a battlefield here,” said Mr Adegoke, a civil servant who boards a bus to Ikeja daily. “You have to struggle to enter a bus, and traffic can keep you on the road for hours. ”

For roadside traders, the heavy foot traffic presents both opportunities and risks. Hawkers weave through moving vehicles, selling snacks, drinks, and other goods to stranded passengers. “This is where I feed my children from,” said Mama Chidinma, a food vendor. “But we live in fear of task force raids and accidents.”

Security and safety remain major concerns at the interchange. Commuters frequently report incidents of pickpocketing and extortion by touts. Despite occasional police patrols, many residents believe more vigorous enforcement is needed to restore order.

Urban transport experts say Iyana Ipaja reflects the broader transport challenges facing Lagos: inadequate infrastructure, poor traffic management, and a lack of designated trading spaces.

They warn that without urgent intervention, the area will continue to be a hotspot for congestion and disorder. Yet, amid the chaos, life at Iyana Ipaja goes on. For traders, it is a means of survival; for commuters, a daily struggle to reach their destinations; and for the city, a stark reminder of the urgent need for a more efficient and organised transport system.