Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
Nigeriamap.png
Victoria Island, Lagos axis of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.png
Route information
HistoryExpected to be completed by 2031
Major junctions
West end Lagos
South end Calabar
Location
Country Nigeria
States Lagos State, Ogun, Ondo, Edo State , Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State, and Cross River State
Highway system

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-kilometer project under development (as of 2025) by Federal Ministry of Works that is planned to run from Victoria Island, Lagos to Calabar, Cross River State. The highway will pass through Ogun State, Ondo State, Edo State, Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, and Akwa Ibom State, before ending in Calabar. The project is intended to connect the western and south-eastern regions of Nigeria, and to improve cross-country connectivity and trade relations. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Construction

The construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway began in March 2024 by Federal Ministry of Works under the administration of Bola Tinubu with the first phase, which stretches 47.47 kilometers from Lagos. The highway is expected to be completed in eight years and will cost N4 billion per kilometer. [5] [6]

Controversies

High costs and perceived misplaced priority

with initial estimated costs of between $11 billion and $12.5 billion, or roughly N14 trillion to N15.6 trillion Nigerian Naira (using 2024 exchange rates of ~ #1500:$1), commenters questioned the priority of such an expensive project given the prevailing economic condition of the country.

Contract bid/award transparency

Further, the quick passage of the funding bill in the national Assembly and contract award to a firm connected to the president raised suspicions.

The first phase of the project was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd. [7] [8]

Environment impact assessments

The planned route of the highway traverses sensitive areas like wetlands and mangroves. Reports claim that required environmental assessments did not occur. Concerns include impact of heavy machinery during construction as well as post construction impacts of soil erosion and increased surface water runoff disturbing aquatic ecosystems. The actual highway may also disrupt migratory patterns for local wildlife as well as increase their likelihood of becoming roadkill. [9]

Destruction of homes and businesses

Several businesses and homes were slated for demolition in order to create a path for the highway. Among the impacted businesses were portions of Landmark Leisure Beach. [10] [11]

While some of the demolitions were on government right of way which had been on the books for years and should have been vacant, portions of the highway's path were realigned to mitigate issues discovered as construction began.

Public reaction to commissioning of 30km Section 1

On 26 May 2025, President Tinubu formally commissioned the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The 30-kilometer stretch, known as Section 1, runs from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Junction in Lagos State. [12] The event, which was attended by government officials and contractors, was described by the presidency as a major step forward in the implementation of a nationally strategic project.

However, the commissioning drew mixed reactions from the public and commentators. Critics noted that only a small portion of the planned 700-kilometer highway had been completed at the time, calling the ceremony premature. Others questioned the decision to celebrate progress before substantial work had been done across the remaining segments. Analysts also highlighted concerns about potential political motives behind the event. [13] [14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "President Tinubu: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will Revolutionize Transportation in Nigeria and Boost Tourism – The Statehouse, Abuja" . Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  2. ↑ "Nigeria Taps Tinubu's Ally to Build a $13 Billion Highway". Bloomberg.com. 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  3. ↑ David, Tarkaa (2024-03-08). "FG Begins Work On 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road" . Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  4. ↑ Obiowo, Caleb (2024-05-24). "FG announces commencement of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  5. ↑ Atungwu, Matthew (2024-07-16). "Lagos-Calabar Highway: Rain won't affect pace of work - Nigerian Govt assures". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  6. ↑ Nigeria, News Agency Of (2024-07-16). "FG assures timely completion of Lagos-Calabar Coastal project despite rainfall". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  7. ↑ Angbulu, Stephen (2024-05-06). "Coastal highway: Seyi Tinubu has right to pursue business interests, Presidency tells Atiku". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  8. ↑ "THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY PROJECT – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  9. ↑ https://news.mongabay.com/2025/01/nigerias-new-coastal-highway-runs-over-communities-biodiversity-hotspots/
  10. ↑ Apanpa, Olaniyi (2024-05-01). "What we built in six years was demolished in six hours - Landmark". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  11. ↑ Uroko, Chuka (2024-04-30). "Demolition: Rubbles replace businesses as FG bulldozes Landmark Beach". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  12. ↑ "Tinubu commissions 30km Section 1 of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko". Nairametrics. 2025-05-31. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  13. ↑ "Backlash trails Tinubu's commissioning of uncompleted Lagos-Calabar road". Premium Times. 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  14. ↑ "Tinubu Commissions Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Says It Will Drive Economic Growth". Vanguard Nigeria. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
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