Temitayo Olumofe
On a humid morning in May 2025, traders, fishermen, and families gathered at Jakande Estate in Lagos, watching as President Bola Tinubu officially inaugurated the first completed stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. For many, the moment was historic—a promise of faster journeys, new jobs, and a more connected Nigeria.
“This road will change our lives,” said Adaeze, a trader who has spent years navigating pothole-ridden highways to move her goods between Lagos and Calabar. “Maybe now, my children will know a different Nigeria.”
Yet, not far from the celebration, anxiety and uncertainty linger. Chinedu, a fisherman near Landmark Beach, worries about losing his home and his livelihood. “We want progress, but not if it means losing everything we have,” he said, echoing the fears of many whose lives are tied to the coastline.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, stretching 700 kilometers through nine states, is Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure project in decades. It promises economic transformation but also raises tough questions about displacement, environmental impact, and transparency.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is designed to connect Lagos to Calabar, traversing Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Edo states. The highway is expected to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade, and open up Nigeria’s blue economy. The project is being executed by Hitech Construction Company Limited, with the first phase 47.7 kilometers within Lagos—commencing in March 2024.
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, described the highway as “a flagship of excellence in Africa,” and a “signpost of holistic road infrastructure transformation.” The project, he explained, is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Legacy Projects, conceived 27 years ago to expand the transportation ecosystem, foster regional integration, and stimulate inclusive, resilient development.
Trade and Commerce: By linking major ports and economic hubs, the highway is expected to reduce travel time, cut transport costs, and make it easier to move goods across southern Nigeria. This could increase trade revenues by billions of dollars annually.
Tourism and Investment: The government plans to develop land along the corridor for tourism, factories, and housing, aiming to attract investment and create thousands of jobs.
Job Creation: Construction and related industries are already providing employment, with opportunities expected as businesses develop along the route.
President Tinubu, at the May 31, 2025 inauguration, called the project, “a dream conceived, now a dream actualized,” and praised its potential to expand the transportation ecosystem, improve accessibility, and foster social cohesion.
The highway is being built as a six-lane dual carriageway, with solar-powered streetlights, security cameras, and service lanes to enhance safety and sustainability. The government has also announced plans to toll the highway for five to ten years after completion to recover construction costs, which are estimated at ₦15.6 trillion ($13 billion), or ₦4 billion per kilometer.
Minister Umahi assured, “The first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is going to be completed by May 29th and we are going to toll it and we’re going to get our money back within five to 10 years”.
While the highway’s promise is clear, the path to progress has not been smooth. The route cuts through densely populated and commercially valuable areas, including parts of Lagos’ Landmark Beach, businesses, and residential communities.
Many property owners and residents say they were not consulted or compensated before demolition began. “We just woke up to see bulldozers,” said a business owner at Landmark Beach, where the threat of demolition looms over a $200 million leisure and business complex.
The government has paid N10 billion in compensation to property owners affected by necessary demolitions, but many say this is not enough to cover their losses or the trauma of displacement. Squatters along the corridor have been warned they will be dislodged if they do not leave voluntarily.
Environmentalists warn that the highway could disrupt fragile coastal ecosystems, threaten marine life, and worsen erosion and flooding in already vulnerable areas. The route passes through Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, and Good Beach/Sol Beach, raising alarms about the impact on local wildlife and the livelihoods of fishermen and tourism operators.
We must not sacrifice our environment for development,” said Desmond Majekodunmi, an environmental activist. Experts have called for robust environmental monitoring and mitigation measures to minimize harm and protect coastal communities.
The project’s massive cost and the process by which it was awarded have also drawn scrutiny. Critics question how the contract was awarded to Hitech Construction without competitive bidding and how the government arrived at the project’s price tag. “There are too many unanswered questions about the process and the cost,” said a public policy analyst. Videos showing portions of the road still under construction, despite government claims of completion, have fueled concerns about transparency and accuracy.
While the highway could boost national GDP and reduce poverty by improving access and lowering transport costs, it also risks deepening inequality if local communities are not protected. The project’s success depends on balancing economic growth with social justice and environmental stewardship.
Ensuring that affected communities, businesses, and environmentalists are consulted and compensated fairly is crucial for social stability and public trust. The government has promised to continue dialogue and provide compensation, but many say more needs to be done to ensure that no one is left behind.
Robust environmental monitoring and mitigation measures must be implemented to minimize harm to coastal ecosystems and protect livelihoods. The government has announced plans to plant trees and construct retaining walls in sensitive areas, but environmentalists say these efforts must be closely monitored and expanded.
Open, competitive bidding and clear communication about project costs and timelines can help address public skepticism and ensure value for money. The government has pledged to improve transparency and accountability, but critics say more concrete action is needed.
The benefits of the highway should reach not just big businesses and urban centers, but also rural communities and vulnerable groups along the route. The government has announced plans to develop land along the corridor for tourism, factories, and housing, aiming to attract investment and create jobs. However, local leaders and activists say more needs to be done to ensure that development is truly inclusive.
According to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, as of June 2025, the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is about 70% complete, with the government aiming for its full completion by January 2026. The plan is to toll the highway for five to ten years to recover costs, starting immediately after completion.
The government has also announced plans to develop land along the corridor for tourism, factories, and housing, aiming to attract investment and create jobs.
For Adaeze and Chinedu, the future is uncertain. Adaeze hopes the road will bring more customers and faster deliveries. Chinedu worries about losing his fishing spot and the beach where his children play. Both agree on one thing: “We want our voices heard. We want progress, but not at any cost.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will transform Nigeria’s economy and connect millions of people. However, for it to be a true symbol of progress, the government must balance ambition with compassion—listening to those whose lives are most affected and protecting the environment that sustains them.
As Minister Umahi put it, “First, it is good quality work; the most difficult aspect of this is the settlement of the sand.” The real challenge, however, may be settling the hopes and fears of the people along the way.
The highway stands as a testament to Nigeria’s ambition and potential. Its success will depend not just on concrete and asphalt, but on the government’s ability to listen, adapt, and ensure that the benefits of development are shared by all.