Abuja, 10 June 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Abuja on Tuesday, concluding a visit to Lagos where he observed the Sallah holiday and commissioned several infrastructure projects, including a controversial 30km section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He was warmly received at the capital by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
During his time in Lagos, President Tinubu inaugurated the first phase of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, specifically a 30km segment from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula. The event, held on Saturday, was part of a broader effort to commission multiple road projects across Nigeria. Tinubu emphasised the government’s commitment to local content, technology transfer, and compliance with urban planning laws, warning developers against flouting building setback regulations. He praised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and contractors for their efforts while urging Nigerians to protect the infrastructure for future generations.
However, the commissioning of the 30km section has sparked controversy. Some critics, as seen in posts on X, claim the segment was not fully completed at the time of inauguration, accusing the administration of overstating its achievements to bolster public perception. These allegations remain unverified but highlight ongoing public scrutiny of the project’s progress and transparency.
Beyond the coastal highway, Tinubu’s Lagos visit included the inauguration of the concrete-paved road to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, a project financed by the Dangote Group through tax credits and originally initiated under the Buhari administration. He also virtually commissioned the renovated Third Mainland Bridge and the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges nationwide. Additionally, the President flagged off the Lagos-Calabar Superhighway’s construction, a legacy project estimated at N15 trillion, with Section Two awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.
Tinubu’s engagements extended to other regions, with virtual commissioning of projects such as the Shendam Bridge in Plateau State, the Jimeta Bridge in Adamawa, and the reconstructed Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III in the South East. New projects flagged off included the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road and the dualisation of the Kano-Maiduguri Road. On Thursday, he toured the Dangote Refinery, inaugurated the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road, and initiated the second section of the coastal highway alongside the 25km 7th Axial Road.
The President’s activities underscore his administration’s focus on infrastructure development, though the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains a focal point of both praise and debate. As Tinubu resumes duties in Abuja, attention will likely turn to the next phase of these ambitious projects and their impact on Nigeria’s economic landscape.
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