The inauguration, last week, of a 30-kilometre section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by President Bola Tinubu’s administration has stirred intense public debate, with critics slamming the move as a premature and politicised publicity stunt.
Promoted as a landmark infrastructure initiative to transform Nigeria’s coastal economy, the highway is designed to span approximately 750 kilometres from Lagos to Calabar, cutting through major southern states. However, with less than 4% of the project completed, concerns are growing over the government’s motives for staging a public commissioning of what many describe as a "work-in-progress."
“Commissioning just 30 kilometres of an unbroken 750km contract gives a completely false impression of completion,” said Mr. Akingunola Omoniyi, Country Head of the Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD). “It sends the wrong signal to the public and potentially erodes trust in the government’s infrastructure delivery process.”
In a statement released Sunday, NEFGAD warned that the event amounted to a photo-op rather than a milestone worthy of national celebration, calling it “a dangerous precedent of politicising infrastructure projects before they reach functional completion.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been touted as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa, with the first phase—comprising a 47.47km stretch—expected to cost over ₦1.06 trillion. According to Minister of Works, David Umahi, the project will cost about ₦4 billion per kilometre.
But that cost, along with the manner in which the contract was awarded, has drawn fire from opposition leaders, civil society groups, and procurement experts. The contract was awarded without competitive bidding to Hitech Construction Ltd, owned by billionaire businessman Gilbert Chagoury, a long-time ally of President Tinubu.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called the process “scandalous,” accusing the president of placing personal ties above national interest. “This is a classic case of using state power to reward political and business associates,” Atiku said in a recent statement. “The lack of transparency violates the Public Procurement Act and calls into question the true cost and intent of this project.”
A senior procurement analyst, Dr. Adebayo Akinlade, noted that the absence of an open tender raises red flags. “In a project of this magnitude, transparency is paramount. Awarding a contract of this scale without competitive bidding compromises public accountability and raises legitimate suspicions of corruption or favouritism,” he said.
Beyond procurement issues, environmentalists and civil society groups have also voiced concerns over the potential ecological damage the project could cause. The highway cuts through delicate ecosystems including wetlands and mangroves along Nigeria’s southern coastline. Activists argue that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process has been rushed or, in some sections, outrightly ignored.
“There are communities that have been displaced, businesses destroyed, and no proper resettlement plan or compensation process in place,” said Kemi Ogundele, an urban planner and member of the Green Earth Coalition. “And we are yet to see comprehensive documentation on environmental safety and mitigation strategies. It’s deeply troubling.”
Part of the backlash stems from demolitions in areas like Landmark Beach in Lagos, where businesses were torn down to make way for the highway. The Ministry of Works has insisted the demolitions were legal and based on right-of-way claims, but affected stakeholders maintain they were blindsided and not properly consulted.
SYMBOLIC POLITICS OR GENUINE PROGRESS?
For supporters of the administration, the highway is a symbol of Tinubu’s commitment to bold infrastructural expansion. “This project will be a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy—reducing travel time, creating jobs, and linking key coastal economies,” said Dr. Uche Chukwuemeka, a public policy analyst and ally of the government. “What’s wrong with showcasing progress?”
Minister Umahi echoed this sentiment during the inauguration, describing the event as “proof that the Renewed Hope agenda is not just a slogan but a visible reality.”
However, critics maintain that celebrating an incomplete project is misleading. NEFGAD’s Akingunola Omoniyi emphasized that commissioning should reflect substantial, usable portions of infrastructure. “It should not be about optics, but about function,” he said.
Even some within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are said to be quietly wary of the optics. A former APC campaign strategist, who requested anonymity, told Business Hallmark: “You can’t sell hope if the reality doesn’t match. Infrastructure should speak for itself when completed. These political rollouts can backfire.”
Nigeria has a history of governments commissioning uncompleted or poorly executed projects for political gain. From abandoned power plants to half-built roads, these projects often resurface during election cycles, repackaged as new initiatives.
“The premature commissioning of incomplete infrastructure has been a recurring feature of Nigerian politics, especially ahead of major elections,” said Dr. Tunde Afolabi, a political historian. “But with rising public awareness and digital accountability, that old playbook might not yield the same results anymore.”
With the 2027 general elections still on the horizon, critics say the inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar Highway’s first section might be the opening move in a broader campaign strategy—one that emphasises visibility over substance.
CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
NEFGAD has urged the federal government to adopt credible milestones and performance indicators to track the progress of megaprojects like the Lagos-Calabar highway. The group also called on President Tinubu to resist the pressure to turn development projects into political theatre.
“Governance is a continuum,” Omoniyi said. “There is no shame in continuing projects started by previous administrations. What Nigerians demand is delivery, not drama.”
The group’s warning resonates with a growing number of Nigerians demanding transparency in public infrastructure spending. As the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway slowly takes shape, analysts say the administration must balance optics with outcome or risk turning one of its flagship achievements into a symbol of misplaced priorities.
“Nigerians want results, not ribbon-cutting ceremonies for incomplete work,” said NEFGAD’s Omoniyi. “Until then, we remain cautious about what’s being sold as progress.”
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