President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has drawn a bold line in the sand: no more unauthorized land deals or reckless planning approvals along federal highways—especially not on the prized Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road corridor.
In a stern warning delivered during the commissioning of the newly completed access road to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the President made it clear that state governments and property developers flouting federal guidelines will face swift consequences. “We will revoke all those approvals—even those already given. We’re serious,” Tinubu declared, flanked by several state governors (with Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu notably absent).
The President’s stance follows weeks of controversy surrounding demolitions and compensation along the $13 billion coastal highway. He reiterated that setbacks—critical buffers between roads and nearby buildings—must be protected to ensure long-term infrastructure growth. “Don’t give planning approvals without working with the Surveyor General of the Federation and the Ministry of Works,” he pleaded.
The message was as strategic as it was firm. Tinubu sees the Lagos-Calabar highway not just as a road, but as a national artery—one that will drive investment, unlock trade, and power Nigeria’s transformation.
The event doubled as a showcase of what’s to come. With the Lagos-Calabar highway taking shape, the President also flagged off the access road linking Lekki Deep Sea Port—a key economic engine poised to reclaim maritime business lost to ports in neighbouring countries.
“This road is not just asphalt,” Tinubu said. “It’s a lifeline for logistics, a foundation for industry, and a symbol of Nigeria’s future.”
The port access roads are expected to drastically reduce congestion and lower transport costs, improving turnaround times and increasing port throughput.
Backed by Nigeria’s two industrial titans, the country’s infrastructure ambitions are shifting into high gear. Aliko Dangote announced that his group is investing a staggering ₦900 billion in eight major roads across the country—including the newly unveiled Deep Sea Concrete Road on the Lekki-Epe corridor.
“This is your vision coming to life,” Dangote told the President. “From the refinery to the roads, we are building what Nigeria needs.” He praised the administration’s naira-for-crude policy, which he said has stabilized petroleum prices and strengthened the naira.
Echoing the President’s “Nigeria First” mantra, Dangote warned against dependence on imports. “Importing means importing poverty. Exporting jobs. That’s not our path,” he said.
Not to be outdone, BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu revealed that his company is financing over 500km of roads under the government’s tax credit scheme, including the vital Kano-Tambola corridor linking Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.
“Nigeria is our home,” Rabiu said passionately. “When your house is broken, you don’t wait for outsiders. You fix it.”
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani praised Tinubu’s economic reforms for increasing monthly state allocations. “In Kaduna, we now receive ₦4.7 billion. That’s development capital, thanks to your bold policies,” he noted.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, lauded the economic potential of the Lekki Port, predicting it will generate $201 billion in revenues and create over 169,000 jobs. He described the port as a “continental gateway” that will place Nigeria at the heart of Africa’s logistics chain.
Kalu added that the project aligns with Nigeria’s Blue Economy Strategy and meets key goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, called the access road a milestone that repositions Nigeria as a maritime power. But he also made a passionate appeal for urgent attention to the neglected Onne Port access road, warning that its poor state is hampering integration into the national logistics network.
“The Lagos-Calabar highway is a game-changer,” he said. “But we must not forget other critical corridors that connect our economy.”
Bottom Line: Tinubu is not just building roads—he’s laying down the framework for a new Nigeria. With private sector giants on board, governors showing unity, and a federal government cracking down on bad planning, the stage is set for what could be the largest infrastructure revolution in a generation.
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project
