The Federal Government has named the much-anticipated Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Tinubu, with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, describing the decision as recognition of the President’s long-standing vision for the landmark infrastructure project.
Umahi announced the naming on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he also unveiled a series of new presidential approvals aimed at expanding Nigeria’s road network and accelerating infrastructure development across the country.
The minister said the decision to name the 750-kilometre coastal highway after Tinubu was reached by the Ministry of Works in appreciation of the President’s role in conceiving the idea more than two decades ago.
“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 dream for it,” Umahi said.
According to him, Tinubu first envisioned the project about 27 years ago while serving as governor of Lagos State, adding that turning such an idea into reality represented a major achievement.
The minister described the first section of the highway, stretching from Victoria Island to Lekki, as a symbol of modern infrastructure delivery.
He said the 47.47-kilometre section features a six-lane carriageway and a 25-metre median reserved for future railway development.
Umahi also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved an additional 400-kilometre extension of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri Superhighway, increasing the Fourth Legacy Highway from 700 kilometres to 1,100 kilometres.
The extension, according to the minister, will push the corridor into Taraba State and improve connectivity between the North-central and North-east regions.
He described the approval as unprecedented, noting that the expansion would create new economic opportunities and enhance transportation links across several states.
“The greatest story is that yesterday President Bola Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is an 800-kilometre road now extended to 1,100 kilometres,” Umahi said.
The minister further announced that the President had approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement following repeated failures on sections of the road.
Umahi criticised the durability of the existing asphalt pavement, saying the highway had begun deteriorating despite being completed less than five years ago.
He explained that the 135-kilometre dual carriageway would be rebuilt with reinforced concrete technology expected to last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance.
“The answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years,” he said.
Beyond the major highways, Umahi revealed that Tinubu had approved the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lao Bridge in Taraba State and the review and completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge project.
He said the Ibi Bridge, initially awarded in 2018, reached about 40 per cent completion before it was abandoned, but the new approval would allow work to resume.
The minister also announced approval for an additional 400 kilometres of dual carriageway along the East-West Road corridor, stretching from Lokoja to Benin.
Umahi said the various interventions reflected the administration’s commitment to expanding infrastructure, improving connectivity and supporting economic growth across Nigeria.
