The Falomo Underbridge

The Falomo underbridge is definitely a masterpiece, a unique place such that it shares close boundaries with those going to places like Lekki, VI, Ikoyi and also leads to third mainland bridge.

At the bottom of Lagos Island lays a small area recognized as Falomo. A major bridge runs through Falomo and underneath it dwells a small community of people passing by and people there to rest for a while or simply wait for the city and the day to pass by. The Falomo under-bridge project aimed to regenerate a once dilapidated and discarded central part of the city and reopen an interactive communal space whilst providing architectural social infrastructure.

Falomo underbridge has been sort of relaxation for Lagosians of late, the place which used to be home to street urchins and area boy who don’t have a place to sleep was remodelled and beautify by the Lagos State Government in conjunction with some private organizations, ever since the remodelling, the Falomo underbridge has not remained the same again as it has become a sort of love nest for lovers living within this area.

The new space was informed by the natural existing program and the intersection between art in the public realm. The project was developed in collaboration with the artists Polly Alakija, who created the murals on the columns in homage to the Bring Back our Girls (276 Schoolgirls were abducted on April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram) organisation campaigners, who have met at the site every Saturday since 2014. The under-bridge aims to sustain its culture as well as attract newcomers.

The architecture uses concrete modules on waves of gabion mesh, punctuated by greenery and is beautifully lit every night.

Ever since the outbreak of the pandemic which Lagos is the epicentre, the Lagos State Government has made the wearing of face masks a compulsory tool for every individual irrespective of position, post or hierarchy in the state.

A visit at the Falomo underbridge, however, shows a twist in the look of the artworks under this bridge as all the paintings now fear a face mask. Talk about creativity at its peak.