FG Names Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway After Tinubu, Approves New Road Projects

The Federal Government has officially named the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing his long-standing vision for the project, while also approving additional road infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity across the country.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision during a press briefing in Abuja, stating that the 750-kilometre coastal highway would now be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.

According to Umahi, the decision was taken in consultation with the ministry’s leadership and staff in recognition of Tinubu’s role in conceiving the project over two decades ago.

He said the President first envisioned the coastal highway during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State about 27 years ago, adding that the naming was a fitting tribute to the vision behind the landmark infrastructure.

Umahi explained that the first section of the project, stretching 47.47 kilometres from Victoria Island to Lekki, features dual carriageways with a 25-metre-wide rail corridor at the median.

The minister also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved an additional 800 kilometres of road projects to expand the country’s highway network.

He said the approvals include an extra 400 kilometres for the Fourth Legacy Highway project and another 400 kilometres of dual carriageway along the East-West Road corridor.

According to him, the Fourth Legacy Highway, originally designed as a 700-kilometre superhighway linking Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu, has now been extended to 1,100 kilometres with a new section connecting Plateau and Taraba states.

Umahi further announced the approval for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, saying the existing road has shown signs of deterioration despite being completed less than five years ago.

He noted that the reinforced concrete design would provide a more durable solution capable of lasting between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance.

The minister also revealed that President Tinubu approved the design, procurement and construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lao Bridge in Taraba State.

In addition, he said approval had been granted for the review and completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge project in Taraba, which was awarded in 2018 but stalled after reaching about 40 per cent completion.

Umahi added that the President also approved the dualisation of a 400-kilometre section of the East-West Road running from Lokoja to Benin, alongside other road projects, including contracts in the South-East aimed at accelerating infrastructure development across the country.

He said the approvals reflect the administration’s commitment to expanding road infrastructure, improving regional connectivity and supporting economic growth nationwide.