FG renames Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after Tinubu

The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the multi-billion-naira project as the fulfilment of a vision he conceived nearly three decades ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the development on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, saying the decision was taken by the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Works in recognition of Tinubu’s role in initiating the concept behind the landmark infrastructure project.

“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi declared.

“By the powers conferred on me as the Honourable Minister of Works, in consultation with the 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.”

According to the minister, the President first envisioned the coastal highway about 27 years ago during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

“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. This is one man who dreams and has the grace and divine mandate to actualise that dream,” Umahi said.

The minister also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing the planned corridor from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres.

He further revealed that the President approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, the completion of the long-abandoned 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.

Providing an update on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Umahi said work is progressing steadily across multiple sections.

According to him, the first phase of the project, stretching from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos State, has become a benchmark for modern highway construction in Nigeria.

He added that the second section, extending from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary, has reached about 60 per cent completion and is expected to be substantially delivered by November.

The minister also disclosed that construction activities are currently underway in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states as work continues simultaneously across different segments of the 750-kilometre coastal highway.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains one of the flagship infrastructure projects of the Tinubu administration and is expected to enhance transportation, stimulate economic activities, improve regional connectivity and unlock new opportunities for trade and tourism along Nigeria’s coastline.