The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the project originated from a vision he conceived during his time as governor of Lagos State.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a media briefing where he also outlined several newly approved infrastructure projects across the country.
According to Umahi, the decision to rename the highway followed consultations within the Ministry of Works and was intended to recognise Tinubu’s role in initiating the idea behind the landmark road project.
“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi said.
The minister added that the ministry unanimously agreed on the decision.
“By the powers conferred on me as Minister of Works, in consultation with my permanent secretary, the minister of state, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.”
Umahi Says Tinubu Conceived the Highway Decades Ago
Umahi stated that Tinubu first envisioned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway about 27 years ago while serving as governor of Lagos State.
He said turning such a long-term vision into reality required both determination and leadership, describing the president as someone who has consistently pursued major infrastructure development.
“He had that goal while serving as governor of Lagos State 27 years ago. It is one thing to dream, but quite another to receive God’s grace to make that dream a reality. This is one man who has the grace and divine mandate to make his dreams a reality,” he said.
The coastal highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects and is expected to improve transportation along Nigeria’s coastline while supporting trade, tourism, and regional economic activities.
FG Approves More Highway Projects Across Nigeria
Beyond the renaming of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu had approved several additional road projects to improve the nation’s transport network.
Among the approvals is a 400-kilometre extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway, increasing its total length to approximately 1,100 kilometres. The president also approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement.
Other projects include the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Providing an update on the coastal highway, Umahi said construction is progressing across different sections of the route.
He explained that the first section, stretching from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos, continues to serve as a model for modern highway construction in Nigeria.
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According to him, the second section, running from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun border, is about 60 per cent complete and is expected to be substantially finished by November. Construction activities are also ongoing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, and Ondo states.
The minister said the ongoing and newly approved road projects are expected to strengthen connectivity between regions, promote national integration, and stimulate economic activities across the country.
