🔥 Trending Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Project Updates and Criticisms

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is an ambitious infrastructure project in Nigeria, aiming to connect the country's western and eastern coastal regions. As of August 2026, the project is actively under construction, with significant progress reported on various sections, though it also faces considerable controversy regarding its cost and necessity ¹⁵.

Project Overview and Progress

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is designed to be a 700-kilometer road ³. The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu is committed to delivering the project on schedule ²³.

Construction Status

Construction is proceeding simultaneously across multiple states, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River ⁴. As of August 2026:

• Lot 1 of the highway has been completed ¹.
• Lot 2 is reported to be over 80% complete ¹.
• Over 30% of the work has been finished in Calabar and Akwa Ibom ¹.
• The project has progressed beyond Epe in Lagos State ⁴.

The Minister has also inspected the progress in the Ondo section of the highway ²³. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs ⁴.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite the reported progress, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has drawn significant criticism, primarily concerning its financial implications and perceived prioritization over other pressing national needs.

Economic Viability and Cost Concerns

A major point of contention is the project's cost. Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has publicly criticized the project, stating that Nigeria cannot afford it given the country's current economic challenges ⁵. Duke argues that the funds allocated to the highway would be better spent on critical sectors such as power and healthcare ⁵.

Prioritization Debate

Critics like Donald Duke view the highway as a "misplaced priority" ⁵. They contend that investing in essential services like electricity and healthcare would have a more immediate and widespread positive impact on the lives of Nigerians compared to a large-scale road infrastructure project ⁵.

Government's Stance

The government, through the Minister of Works, maintains that the project is crucial for national development and is committed to its completion. Minister Umahi has acknowledged the need for collective effort to address the challenges associated with the project for the benefit of the Nigerian people ¹. He has also addressed and dismissed some of the claims made by critics, indicating that construction is indeed moving forward simultaneously across various states ⁴.