The Federal Government has clarified that the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has not been abandoned, following controversy over remarks by Minister of Works David Umahi about aligning parts of the project with the existing East–West Road. The proposed reconstruction of 400 kilometres of the East–West Road, from Edo State towards Cross River State, is an additional project, according to the Ministry of Works.
Umahi’s remarks and initial backlash
During a briefing on the Federal Government’s major infrastructure projects on October 7, Umahi discussed changes to sections of the coastal highway, including challenges posed by difficult terrain and existing infrastructure. He reportedly quoted President Bola Tinubu as saying, “Divert, do not do any new alignments. Pass the coastal highway through the existing East-West road.”
The minister cited difficult terrain and flooding concerns as reasons for using the existing road corridor in parts of the Niger Delta. The Ministry of Works subsequently explained that the continuation of the highway would be aligned with the existing East–West Road in parts of the Niger Delta, and that sections would need to be raised to improve their resilience against flooding and climate-related risks.
The remarks prompted concerns that a project originally presented as a coastal highway was being redirected inland, potentially changing which communities would have direct access to the route.
Government’s clarification and current status
On Monday, October 12, Umahi dismissed reports that Tinubu had ordered the coastal highway to be discontinued in favour of the East–West Road. He said the coastal highway remained on course, with construction continuing on several sections while survey and design work progressed on sections yet to enter full construction.
The ministry also said procurement and construction of the outstanding sections would commence after the necessary surveys and designs were completed, starting from the end of the Ondo axis. The government’s clarification means it would be inaccurate to conclude that the entire Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been cancelled or replaced by the East–West Road.
Concerns raised by critics and stakeholders
One of the major concerns is whether the revised alignment could leave some coastal communities without the access and economic opportunities they expected from the project. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has called on Tinubu to clarify the approved route and identify the communities that will benefit from, or be bypassed by, the highway. He warned that moving sections inland could undermine the project’s original objective of connecting coastal communities and supporting economic activities in the region.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has also questioned the government’s handling of the project and raised concerns about a possible $20 billion loan. That figure remains an allegation raised by Atiku, rather than a confirmed borrowing decision in the reports reviewed.
The questions also extend to the planning process. Critics want the government to explain how engineering challenges, difficult terrain and flooding risks informed the original route and subsequent changes.
Next steps and outstanding questions
The Federal Government says work on the coastal highway will continue, while surveying and design work on the remaining sections is ongoing. The outstanding issue is not simply whether the project has been abandoned, which the government denies, but precisely how the revised alignment will work and which communities will benefit from it.
For Nigerians following the controversy, the distinction is important: the government says the East–West Road reconstruction is an additional project, but Umahi’s earlier remarks about aligning part of the coastal highway with the existing road have left questions about the route that require a clear public explanation. Until the government provides more detail on the final alignment and the communities it will serve, the debate over Tinubu’s flagship coastal highway project is likely to continue.
