The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway, in recognition of what it described as President Bola Tinubu’s long-standing vision for the landmark infrastructure project.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a media briefing in Abuja, where he explained that the decision was taken after consultations with senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Works.
According to Umahi, the highway was renamed in honour of President Tinubu because the idea for the ambitious coastal road project was conceived during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State over two decades ago.
For updates on federal road projects, visit the Federal Ministry of Works.
Why the highway was renamed
Speaking during the briefing, Umahi said the ministry unanimously agreed that the project should bear President Tinubu’s name because of his vision and commitment to making it a reality.
He stated:
“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.”
The minister explained that the decision was reached after consultations involving the Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, directors and other officials within the ministry.
According to him, the renaming recognises Tinubu’s role in initiating the concept many years before it eventually became a federal project.
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Tinubu conceived the project decades ago
Umahi revealed that President Tinubu first conceived the idea of a coastal highway approximately 27 years ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State.
He praised the President for transforming what began as a vision into one of Nigeria’s biggest ongoing infrastructure projects.
The minister said:
“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to actualise that dream.”
He described the project as one of the administration’s legacy initiatives aimed at improving transportation, boosting economic growth and connecting Nigeria’s coastal states.
Tinubu approves major highway expansion
Beyond the renaming, Umahi also announced that President Tinubu had approved a significant expansion of another major road project.
According to the minister, the President approved a 400-kilometre extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway, bringing its total planned length to approximately 1,100 kilometres.
He noted that the expansion would further strengthen road connectivity across several parts of the country.
More road projects receive approval
Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu also approved several other major infrastructure projects, including:
- Reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement.
- Completion of the Ibi Bridge in Taraba State.
- Construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge.
- Dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
The minister said these projects form part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure and improve economic activities nationwide.
Progress on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
Providing updates on construction, Umahi said work is progressing steadily across multiple sections of the coastal highway.
According to him, Section Two, which stretches from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary, is approximately 60 percent complete.
He expressed confidence that the section would be substantially completed by November.
Construction is also ongoing simultaneously in several other states along the highway corridor, including:
- Cross River
- Akwa Ibom
- Ogun
- Ondo
The minister noted that contractors continue to make steady progress despite engineering challenges associated with the large-scale project.
About the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Nigeria’s largest road infrastructure projects.
When completed, the highway is expected to improve transportation between Lagos and several coastal states, reduce travel time, stimulate tourism, encourage investment and facilitate trade across southern Nigeria.
The project is also expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during both construction and operational phases.
Supporters believe the road will significantly enhance regional connectivity, while critics have raised questions over funding, environmental impact and compensation for affected communities.
Mixed public reactions
The decision to rename the highway after President Tinubu has already generated mixed reactions among Nigerians.
Supporters argue that the recognition is justified given Tinubu’s long-standing role in conceptualising the project, while critics believe such decisions should wait until the project is fully completed.
Despite the differing opinions, construction continues across multiple sections of the highway as the Federal Government pushes ahead with one of its flagship infrastructure programmes.
With the official renaming now confirmed, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway becomes one of the country’s most prominent ongoing national infrastructure projects.
