Considerable progress has been made on the development of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project under the president Bola Tinubu’s administration. The project has been a long-standing goal of successive governments dating back many years. The idea has been proposed by a number of administrations as a way to encourage regional cooperation, enhance transport infrastructure, and stimulate economic activity. But no administration has ever taken the initiative to bring the vision to life and make it a reality as much as the Tinubu’s administration has done through its Renewed Hope Agenda. Since the 1980s, plans have been developed to build a coastal route that would connect Lagos and Calabar.
However, its implementation has been frequently put off due to political instability, budgetary issues, and changed government priorities. As part of larger ambitions for Infrastructure development, the project attracted new attention during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration (1999–2007). But because of funding constraints and conflicting objectives, the project never made much progress, even after some initial preparatory work. Also, President Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015) also acknowledged its potential and included it into his administration’s modernization strategy. Yet, the project was beset by delays brought on by red tape, environmental issues, and challenges financing issues.
First phase of the project was awarded in March 2024.
It was once again emphasized as a crucial developmental project under President Muhammadu Buhari regime (2015–2023), after which additional environmental impact evaluations and feasibility studies were carried out in 2017. Regardless, the project’s size and the requirement for a substantial Investment causes its delay. But currently, the project’s realization has advanced and the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Construction project has been awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd. in March 2024, marking the official commencement of the project.
Implementation of the first phase involves a 47.47-kilometer dual road from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Seaport within Lagos. With an approximate budget of $2 billion, the project is expected to be completed within eight years. The route, which would run roughly 700km and traverse through nine states—Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River—will link Lagos in the west with Calabar in the east. In order to integrate the movement of people, products, and services throughout the areas, the project also includes two spurs that will connect to Northern Nigeria.
A revolutionary project and paradigm shift for the economy.
So far, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is one of the most trailblazing and revolutionary infrastructural projects in Nigeria. By including a rail connection, it will create opportunities for investment in petrochemicals, refineries, and energy plants inside the hydrocarbon belt of these coastal states, all of which produce oil. The coastal highway is a paradigm shift for the Nigerian Economy in addition to the enormous potential for tourism from eco-tourism and beaches, maritime investments, and new town expansions. Globally, industrialized economies embark on such transformational projects to boost their economies, open up new development frontiers, and create new growth prospects.
Critics have expressed worry regarding the road’s estimated ₦15 trillion cost, particularly considering the nation’s severe financial problems and present economic challenges. Although the cost is perceived as enormous, it has been disclosed that the federal government would only pay a small portion as the project will be carried out under the EPC+F. Under this contract financing model, the federal government would be able to allocate funding to ongoing road projects at a rate that is commendable.
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The government’s commitment to make the required investment to support the project and the nation’s economic recovery is demonstrated by its decision to pay a counterpart fund of ₦1 trillion. Such action upends the enduring issue of inadequate financing which has long delayed the implementation of the infrastructure project. Tinubu administration’s readiness to fulfill its dedication is also evident in the project’s prompt and expertise management. Another aspect that inspires hope is the standing of the incumbent Minister of Works, who has used his knowledge as a civil engineer to the federal government’s infrastructure programme, guaranteeing that Nigerians receive value projects.