The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the move as recognition of his long-standing vision for one of Nigeria’s biggest road projects.
The decision has drawn attention because the highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship road projects. Moreover, Minister of Works Dave Umahi said the idea behind the road dates back nearly three decades, long before Tinubu became Nigeria’s president.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has remained one of the country’s most talked-about infrastructure projects. Consequently, its new name reflects what the Federal Government described as the President’s commitment to transforming transportation and improving economic growth through modern road networks.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, Umahi announced that the road will now officially be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. According to the minister, the decision followed consultations with the ministry’s permanent secretary, minister of state, directors and other senior officials.
He said, “That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.”
Umahi further explained the reason behind the decision.
He stated, “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.”
The minister recalled that Tinubu first conceived the coastal highway project about 27 years ago while serving as governor of Lagos State.
According to him, the President deserves recognition for eventually bringing the vision closer to reality. Umahi added, “He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos state. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream. This is one man who dreams and has the grace and divine mandate to actualise that dream.”
Meanwhile, the minister also announced that President Tinubu approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by another 400 kilometres. The approval increases the strategic transport corridor to about 1,100 kilometres.
Furthermore, the President approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement. In addition, approval was granted for the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State.
The government also approved the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge. Similarly, another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road will be dualised to improve traffic flow and connectivity.
Umahi disclosed that work is progressing steadily on different sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to him, the second section stretching from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary is already about 60 per cent complete. He expressed confidence that substantial completion of that section will be achieved by November.
The minister noted that the various projects are expected to strengthen transportation across Nigeria. Moreover, they are designed to improve connectivity between regions and support economic activities nationwide.
He also said the investments would encourage national integration while making movement of people and goods easier.
