By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. We project a 10-year return on investment
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has announced significant progress on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, disclosing that tolling on a completed section of the highway is scheduled to commence by December 2025.
He made this known in an interview granted for a forthcoming State House documentary, which is being produced to commemorate the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the Minister, Section 1 of the ambitious coastal highway project is almost complete, with 30 kilometers already delivered and an additional 10 kilometers in Section 2 set to be finished in the coming months. The infrastructure, he said, is designed to meet modern standards and boost the region’s economic development.
“By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. We project a 10-year return on investment,” Umahi stated, emphasizing the financial sustainability of the project.
He further revealed that the highway is equipped with solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) infrastructure, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to security and sustainability. He also noted that the project includes elements designed to support Nigeria’s carbon credit ambitions.
“The road has solar-powered lighting and CCTV infrastructure, and offers carbon credit advantages. It is more than a road; it is an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional growth,” he said.
Highlighting the broader vision, Umahi disclosed that Sections 3 and 3B of the highway had recently been flagged off. These segments will cover a total of 65 kilometers—38 kilometers in Cross River State and 27 kilometers in Akwa Ibom State.
He described the excitement of host communities as a testament to the project’s far-reaching impact, particularly in terms of local development and job creation.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, being constructed as a six-lane, concrete-paved expressway, is part of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at revitalizing infrastructure and unlocking the economic potential of the southern corridor.
In addition to the coastal highway, the Minister also spoke on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, describing it as a revival of the long-conceived Trans-Saharan trade route dating back to the colonial era.
“The Trans-Saharan trade route dates back to colonial-era planning. President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life,” Umahi noted.
On the political front, Umahi addressed speculation regarding the 2027 presidential election, affirming that all governors from the South-East geopolitical zone are united in their support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid. He emphasized that the governors are working collaboratively to ensure the continued success of the current administration’s agenda.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, drive investment, and serve as a major catalyst for socio-economic transformation across Nigeria’s coastal states.