FG Renames Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway After Tinubu

The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway, with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, saying the decision was taken to honour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision and commitment to the landmark infrastructure project.

Umahi announced the development on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he also unveiled several new approvals for major road infrastructure projects across the country.

According to the minister, the decision to name the coastal highway after President Tinubu was reached following consultations with the leadership and management of the Federal Ministry of Works.

He said the President conceived the idea of the project decades ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State and has now overseen its implementation as President.

"That highway is named the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. 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 vision for the project," Umahi said.

"He had that dream about 27 years ago as Governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream," he added.

The minister described the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of Nigeria's most ambitious road infrastructure projects, noting that it is designed to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and stimulate economic growth along the country's coastal corridor.

He said the first section of the project, a 47.47-kilometre stretch from Victoria Island to Lekki in Lagos State, is being constructed as a six-lane carriageway with a 25-metre-wide median reserved for a future railway line.

Umahi also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved a major expansion of the Fourth Legacy Highway, extending the project by an additional 400 kilometres.

According to him, the road, initially planned as a 700-kilometre corridor linking Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu, will now stretch approximately 1,100 kilometres with its extension into Taraba State.

"The greatest story is that yesterday President Bola Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is a 700-kilometre road now extended to about 1,100 kilometres, and that is unprecedented," the minister said.

He further revealed that the President had approved the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road to improve transportation across the Niger Delta region.

Umahi also announced the approval for the reconstruction of sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement technology, which he said would enhance the durability and lifespan of the highway.

Other projects approved by the President include the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State and the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lao Bridge.

The minister said the approvals form part of the Federal Government's broader infrastructure development agenda aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting economic activities, reducing travel time and modernising Nigeria's transportation network.

He added that the administration remains committed to delivering legacy infrastructure projects that will promote regional integration, support commerce and enhance the movement of people and goods across the country.