FG Renames Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway After Tinubu, Says Project Began as 27-Year Vision

The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the decision as recognition of his long-standing vision for the landmark infrastructure project.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced the renaming on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, saying the 750-kilometre highway was inspired by an idea conceived by Tinubu nearly three decades ago when he served as governor of Lagos State.

Umahi said the highway will now be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.

“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” the minister said.

Explaining the decision, Umahi said the Ministry of Works arrived at the decision after consultations with relevant officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Minister of State, directors and other staff of the ministry.

“By the powers conferred on me as Minister of Works, in consultation with my Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it,” he said.

The minister said Tinubu first conceived the idea of the coastal highway about 27 years ago during his tenure as Lagos governor, describing the project as an example of a vision that has now moved from an idea to reality.

“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream,” Umahi said.

While announcing the renaming, Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing the planned corridor to about 1,100 kilometres.

The minister also revealed that the President approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, the completion of the long-delayed Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.

Umahi said the projects were part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to expand Nigeria’s road infrastructure, improve connectivity and support economic activities across the country.

Providing an update on the coastal highway, the minister said construction work was progressing across different sections of the route.

He said the first phase, covering the stretch from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos, was serving as a benchmark for modern highway construction, while the second section, from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary, had reached about 60 per cent completion.

According to Umahi, the section is expected to be substantially delivered by November.

He added that construction activities were also ongoing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states as work continues on the major coastal corridor.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects, designed to improve transportation links along Nigeria’s coastline and support trade, tourism and regional economic development.