Minister of Works Dave Umahi has announced that President Bola Tinubu will commission key segments of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and other infrastructure projects before May 25, underscoring rapid progress on one of Nigeria’s most ambitious road projects.
Key Highlights from Umahi’s Announcement:
- 30 kilometres of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, now over 70% completed, will be inaugurated.
- An additional 10 kilometres of Section Two of the coastal highway is also set to be inaugurated.
- President Tinubu will also inaugurate 10 kilometres of the Sokoto-Badagry road in Kebbi State, constructed with rigid concrete pavement.
Financial & Technical Endorsements:
Umahi revealed that the loan components of the coastal highway project underwent independent review by:
- Deutsche Bank
- Development Bank of South Africa
According to the minister, both financial institutions found the procurement process not only transparent and excellent, but also undervalued. They relayed this assessment to Nigeria’s Minister of Finance during engagements in the United States.
“They reviewed all the bid documents and concluded that the procurement process was excellent. In fact, they even stated that it was undervalued,” Umahi said.
Context:
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is envisioned as a transformative infrastructure link, expected to boost commerce, tourism, and regional integration along Nigeria’s Atlantic corridor. The project has drawn both praise and scrutiny due to its scale and impact on coastal communities, but the Federal Government continues to defend its cost-efficiency and strategic significance.
