The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the long-awaited 750-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be fully completed before the end of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term in office. This ambitious project, which is set to transform Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, was discussed during a key event on Tuesday where the Minister of Works, David Umahi, officially signed an important contract for its construction.
The contract, which involves the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance (EPC+F) model, was signed between the Federal Government and Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Ltd. The completion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is seen as one of the major achievements of the current administration, and Umahi is confident that it will be delivered within the two terms of President Tinubu, providing critical support for the country’s economic growth and development.
During the signing ceremony, Umahi highlighted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Africa. He explained that the highway, which was first envisioned 27 years ago, is finally coming to life under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Umahi expressed his excitement about witnessing this project come to fruition, emphasizing the government’s dedication to completing it during Tinubu’s tenure.
“It is a wonderful thing to witness this and to be part of it. We will continue to support Mr. President, and we are confident that by the end of his two terms, the full 750 kilometers of this highway will be completed,” Umahi said. “We believe that with God’s grace, this project will be successfully completed.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is designed to improve connectivity between Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, and Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, and further enhance access to other coastal cities in the southeastern region. This project is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economic development, as it will improve the movement of goods and services, boost tourism, and create thousands of jobs.
Umahi also explained the financial structure of the project, which is being carried out under the EPC+F model. This model allows for foreign investments to be secured to fund the project, with the Federal Government committing to provide 30% counterpart funding. The remaining funds for the project will be sourced through foreign financing, with the Federal Ministry of Finance collaborating closely with Hitech Construction.
“The Federal Government is committing 30% of the funding for the project. We are also working with Hitech Construction and the Ministry of Finance to ensure that foreign investments are secured to accelerate the project’s execution,” Umahi said.
The first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which spans 47.7 kilometers from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos, is expected to be completed by May 2025. Umahi also mentioned that the cost of constructing each kilometer of the highway is approximately N4 billion, which reflects the high quality of work being done to ensure the highway meets global standards.
“The beauty of this project is that the financing components are all coming together. With the signing of this contract, the contractor can now access foreign investment. The Federal Government’s 30% contribution is secure, and the foreign financing will accelerate the work even further,” Umahi added.
In addition to the funding structure, Umahi commended the performance of Hitech Construction, noting that the company’s work quality and construction speed are impressive. Although the project was originally scheduled to take 36 months, Umahi expressed confidence that the first phase would have been completed within a year if it were not for some delays related to settling certain financial agreements.
“Though we are working within a 36-month schedule, I believe if not for the need to finalize certain payments, we could have completed the first section of the highway within a year,” the minister said.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be a game-changer for the country. Apart from its transportation benefits, it is also anticipated to enhance economic activities in the southeastern part of Nigeria, creating a corridor of development and progress. With the completion of the highway, businesses, travelers, and industries will experience faster and more efficient transportation, reducing travel time and cost for goods and people.
Moreover, the project is seen as a key part of the broader vision of the Federal Government to improve Nigeria’s infrastructure. President Tinubu’s administration has focused on delivering large-scale infrastructure projects to support long-term economic growth, and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a significant part of this effort. With increased investment in transportation infrastructure, Nigeria is expected to become more connected internally and with its neighboring countries, helping the nation compete more effectively in the global economy.
The project is also part of the government’s broader strategy to tap into the potential of Nigeria’s coastal regions, which have long been underdeveloped despite their significant economic and tourism potential. By linking Lagos with Calabar and other southeastern coastal cities, the highway is expected to facilitate more trade, tourism, and investment in these areas.
The completion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will also help address long-standing transportation challenges in the southeastern region, improving road safety, reducing traffic congestion, and providing more efficient links to the rest of the country. This infrastructure project will help bridge the gap between Lagos, one of the largest cities in Africa, and Calabar, which is a key city in the southeast.
