Minister of Works David Umahi has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Umahi explained that the decision honors Tinubu for conceiving the project over two decades ago, even before its completion. The minister made the announcement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, July 16.
Tinubu's Vision and the Naming Decision
Umahi stated that the entire 750-kilometer coastal highway will now be known as the President Bola Tinubu Coastal Highway. He emphasized that the president first envisioned the project 27 years ago while serving as governor of Lagos State. “He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State and it’s one thing to dream, and another thing to have the grace of God for you to actualise your dream,” Umahi said.
The minister noted that the naming was done under the powers conferred on him, in consultation with the permanent secretary, directors, and staff of the Ministry of Works. The first section of the highway, Section 1, spans 47.47 kilometers from Victoria Island to a local village, featuring two carriageways with a 25-meter train track in the middle. Umahi described the project as “a beauty to behold.”
Additional Road Projects Approved by President Tinubu
Umahi also revealed that President Tinubu has approved the commencement of additional 800 kilometers of road projects across the country. These include 400 kilometers on the fourth legacy project and another 400 kilometers on the East-West road. The fourth legacy project is a 700-kilometer superhighway connecting Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State, passing through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, and Biu. The additional 400 kilometers will extend the road to 1,100 kilometers, linking Plateau and Taraba states.
“The greatest story is that yesterday, President Bola Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometre to our fourth legacy road. That is the 800 kilometre of road to that fourth legacy projects, passing from plateau down to Taraba, and that is unprecedented. It brings that fourth legacy projects to 1,100,” Umahi said.
Reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Highway
The minister disclosed that President Tinubu approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan highway using reinforced concrete pavement. This decision aims to address the rapid deterioration of the existing road, which was completed less than five years ago by two major construction companies but has already begun failing. “You know, it’s 135 kilometre by two. Already, that project that is not up to five years, you know, completed by two giants of construction companies have already, the projects, you know, have already started failing. In Ibadan bound, we took journalists there, we took the National Assembly there. It’s failing like this. They have repaired it and it’s still failing. So the answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years, maintenance free,” Umahi explained.
Other Projects: Lao Bridge and Ibi Bridge
Umahi announced that President Tinubu approved the design, procurement, and award of the Lao Bridge in Taraba State, a 5.76-kilometer structure over water. Additionally, the president approved the review and completion of the Ibi Bridge, also in Taraba, which was awarded in 2018 but abandoned at 40% completion. “And so that bridge was awarded in 2018, 40% done, abandoned since that time and yesterday, the president approved the review and the completion of that Imbi Bridge in Taraba State,” Umahi said.
The minister also revealed approval for the dualization of a 400-kilometer section of the East-West Road, running from Lokoja to Benin. These projects underscore the president’s commitment to fast-tracking infrastructure development across Nigeria.
