Umahi Unveils Progress on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Other Legacy Road Projects
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing Nigeria’s most ambitious highway infrastructure programme, with legacy road projects designed to improve connectivity, boost economic growth and transform the country’s transportation system.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi provided updates on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other strategic road projects, stating that the projects are being executed in phases while maintaining engineering standards, sustainability and prudent funding.
The Minister announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been officially named the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Highway in recognition of the President’s commitment to delivering the long-awaited project.
According to him, Section One of the highway, stretching 70.4 kilometres from Victoria Island to the Lekki Deep Seaport, is progressing steadily as a dual carriageway with a central rail corridor.
He said Section Two, which extends about 55 kilometres from Eleko Junction to the Ondo State boundary, is about 50 per cent completed and is expected to be substantially completed by November. Several bridges under construction are part of the section’s ongoing works.
Umahi explained that the highway features modern engineering designs, including bridge spans of up to 80 metres to accommodate heavy industrial traffic.
He added that Section Three, covering Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, has reached about 80 per cent completion, while Section Four, extending toward Ondo State and covering 82 kilometres, is approximately 20 per cent completed.
According to the Minister, another 180-kilometre section has already been awarded and construction has commenced despite mobilisation payments yet to be made.
On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Umahi described the project as another transformational legacy initiative. He disclosed that one 120-kilometre section is about 70 per cent completed, another 82-kilometre stretch has reached 40 per cent completion, while a further 162.35-kilometre section is more than 80 per cent completed.
He said completion of the remaining sections would create one of Africa’s largest highway corridors.
Umahi noted that all the legacy highways are being developed as part of an integrated national transportation network. He also revealed plans to construct Africa’s first underwater tunnel, linked by a 21-kilometre approach road and about 20 kilometres of underwater construction before connecting to Victoria Island.
He said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will connect with the proposed Trans-Nigeria Highway and existing road corridors leading to Abuja, Apapa and other major economic centres, while ongoing projects linking Sokoto, Kano and other northern states will integrate into the national network.
The Minister also announced that construction has commenced on the Trans-Nigeria Highway, which will connect Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Abuja and several other states to improve the movement of goods and reduce travel time.
He further disclosed progress on the Fourth Legacy Highway, which will pass through Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states. According to him, President Tinubu has approved an additional 800 kilometres for the project, bringing its total length to about 1,100 kilometres.
Umahi also confirmed the revival of a bridge project in Taraba State that was first awarded in 2008 but later abandoned, noting that it would strengthen connectivity between Taraba and Plateau states.
The Minister listed other ongoing strategic road projects to include the reconstruction of sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with continuously reinforced concrete pavement expected to last between 50 and 100 years, reconstruction of the Lokoja-Benin Highway, additional road projects across the South-East and continued expansion of national highway corridors connecting major commercial and agricultural centres.
On capacity development, Umahi said the Federal Government has introduced a technology transfer programme requiring contractors to train Nigerian engineers and transfer technical knowledge and equipment to local professionals.
He added that young engineers from across the federation are being recruited for specialised training to strengthen indigenous engineering capacity for future large-scale infrastructure projects.
Addressing climate resilience, the Minister said ongoing highway projects now incorporate higher embankments, improved drainage systems, reinforced concrete pavement and enhanced flood-control measures to minimise erosion and flooding.
He also announced plans to develop service corridors along major highways to accommodate filling stations, logistics hubs, emergency response facilities, rest areas and other commercial infrastructure.
Providing an update on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway, Umahi said the first 180-kilometre section has been completed, while another 102 kilometres is being reconstructed using reinforced concrete pavement. He added that solar-powered streetlights are being installed along sections of the highway.
According to him, the project is valued at about ₦502 billion, with more than 80 per cent of the contract value already paid.
Umahi expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for infrastructure development, saying the administration remains committed to delivering durable, climate-resilient highways that will promote national integration, improve connectivity and accelerate economic development across Nigeria.
