The Federal Ministry of Works has officially named the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the decision as a tribute to his vision, commitment and determination to deliver one of Nigeria's most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he provided updates on the progress of the Federal Government's legacy road projects and other newly approved infrastructure initiatives.
Umahi said the landmark highway will now be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway, noting that the decision was unanimously taken by the leadership and staff of the ministry.
"By the power conferred on me as the Honourable Minister of Works, and in consultation with the Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, the directors and the entire staff of the ministry, we have decided to name the entire Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," he said.
According to the minister, the project represents the fulfilment of a vision conceived by Tinubu nearly three decades ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State.
"This is a dream that Mr. President had about 27 years ago. It is one thing to conceive a vision, but it is another thing to have the courage, leadership and God's grace to bring that vision to reality. Today, President Tinubu is making that dream come alive for Nigerians."
Umahi described the coastal highway as one of the four flagship legacy projects of the Tinubu administration, stressing that construction is progressing simultaneously across several sections of the corridor.
He said significant milestones have already been achieved on the Lagos section, while construction is advancing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states, with procurement and mobilisation continuing on other segments.
The minister also gave updates on the administration's three other legacy road projects—the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Trans-Saharan Highway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri Road Corridor—saying all are moving steadily towards completion.
He disclosed that President Tinubu recently approved an additional 400 kilometres of dual carriageway on the Akwanga-Maiduguri corridor, increasing the project's total length to approximately 1,100 kilometres.
Umahi further announced presidential approval for several strategic road projects across the country, including the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement technology.
According to him, the adoption of concrete pavement will significantly improve the lifespan of the highway while reducing maintenance costs over the years.
The minister also confirmed the approval of the reconstruction of the Oba-Nnewi-Arondizuogu-Okigwe Road Corridor, which traverses Anambra, Imo and Abia states, as well as the Otuocha-Anam-Ibaji Road linking Anambra and Kogi states.
Speaking on infrastructure development in the South-East, Umahi said the region has witnessed unprecedented federal road investments under the Tinubu administration, urging residents to acknowledge the President's commitment to addressing decades of infrastructure deficits.
"The South-East should appreciate what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. The level of federal infrastructure currently under construction in the region has never happened before. Projects that remained on paper for years are now receiving serious attention and funding."
He listed several ongoing projects in the region, including the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Enugu-Abakaliki Road, the Second Niger Bridge bypass, the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road, as well as other strategic federal highways connecting the South-East to neighbouring regions.
Umahi said the ongoing extension of the Trans-Saharan Highway into the South-East would further strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration.
The minister maintained that the administration's four legacy highway projects were conceived to connect all six geopolitical zones, reduce travel time, promote interstate commerce, improve national security and stimulate economic growth.
"These legacy projects are not just roads; they are economic corridors that will transform transportation, open up new investment opportunities and drive Nigeria's economic development for generations."
He reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to delivering durable, world-class road infrastructure, saying the Tinubu administration remains focused on building projects that will stand the test of time and accelerate national development.