Why FG’s Diversion Of N15trn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Is Generating Controversy

The federal authorities’s choice to reroute a piece of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has reignited debate over value, engineering, and financial priorities.

Here is what’s at stake:

1. A Signature Project: The 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is the flagship infrastructure mission of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It is a four-lane concrete freeway designed to run alongside Nigeria’s shoreline from Lagos to Calabar.

2. Original Design:* The highway was deliberate to take off from the previous Bar Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos, and move by Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States earlier than terminating in Cross River State.

3. Huge Financial Outlay:* The mission is estimated to value N15 trillion. In 2025, the Federal Government mentioned it might spend $747 million on it, backed by an extra $47 million exterior mortgage, underscoring its high-capital nature.

4. What Has Been Done:* The first section of the mission, the Lagos part, was commissioned in May 2025, amidst fanfare.

5. Why Government Diverted It:* Minister of Works, David Umahi, mentioned the Ondo State alignment is riddled with deep pits and unsuitable terrain that will have astronomically elevated building prices. He argued the diversion to the East-West Road hall was to save lots of public funds.

6. Why It Is Controversial:* Communities and stakeholders in Ondo State petitioned the Ministry, alleging the diversion was politically motivated and that the state is being short-changed. Umahi insists the choice is only based mostly on engineering evaluation.

7. The Economic Justification: Economists backing the transfer, together with CPPE’s Dr. Muda Yusuf, argue the East-West hall is a stronger financial artery. It connects Nigeria’s greatest business hub within the South-East/South-South, will improve commerce connectivity, open up inland states, and ship extra worth for cash in comparison with constructing by tough coastal swamps.