Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway has been temporarily opened for public use, with Minister of Works Senator Dave Umahi describing it as one of Nigeria’s “most ambitious and audacious infrastructure projects since independence.”
Speaking at the opening, Umahi said the 47.47-kilometre section in Lagos features six lanes, reinforced concrete pavement, streetlights, planted medians, and CCTV coverage. “It has CCTV to address houses where we attend to any situation within five minutes,” he said.
He also provided updates on the broader project, noting that Section 2, stretching 55 kilometres from the Lagos–Akwa Ibom border, is progressing, while Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River State cover 65–72 kilometres. Section 4 works are ongoing simultaneously.
“The great people of this occasion, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway passing through Cross River State is one of the four legacy projects of Mr. President,” Umahi said, adding that the highway is part of a network connecting the southwest, southeast, and northeast regions to Abuja.
He highlighted the safety and quality measures, saying, “The first section has six lanes, streetlights, planted medians, and reinforced concrete pavement. Some sections will include a 3.5-kilometre tunnel delivered through public-private partnerships.”
Umahi praised President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and vision, and thanked governors, lawmakers, contractor teams, and security agencies for supporting the project. He said the highway would be transformational, boosting “transport, tourism, agriculture, and economic activities along the corridor.”
The full Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be completed by December 2026, with the four legacy projects interconnected to create a continuous national corridor.
