FG set to open Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to motorists in December

The Federal Government has announced that it is set to open the completed portion of the section 1 of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to motorists between December 12 and 17.

The government is also set to formally commission section 1 in April 2026. The section 1 has about two kilmetres to be fully completed.

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, disclose these on Sunday while on inspection tour of the coastal highway.

A total of 47. 37 kilomtres was covered during the inspection.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-km project beginning from Victoria Island, Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State.

Speaking with journalists on the inspection, Umahi commended the level of the project, pointing out that the had achieved measurable progress.

The minister explained that the construction work was deliberately slowed on select segments to allow proper subsoil settlement which he described as an engineering requirement crucial for the road’s structural integrity and long-term lifespan.

He commended Hitech for what he called an “uncommon commitment” to the project, saying the company’s drive “goes far beyond financial incentives.”

On the funding of the sprawling project, he said the foreign loan component was oversubscribed by $100 million, indicating investor confidence in the project’s economic viability and the ministry’s transparent management processes.

In his remarks, The Managing Director of Hitech, Danny Aboud, said the sand filling was advancing steadily across critical swamp zones, while between 34 and 35 kilometres of the concrete eeinforced cement pavement had already been done.

Beyond Section One, Other places inspected include a 25-kilomtre dual carriageway under construction by federal government between Eleko around Dangote Cement, Ibeju-Lekki and Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State and an expansive flyover at Chainage 47.474. The flyover designed to link Sections 1 and 2 of the coastal highway.

With 80 per cent of piling works completed, the interchange is projected for delivery in the first quarter of 2026 and will support seamless traffic flow to the Dangote Refinery and the adjoining port access road, according to Umahi at the site.

The minister equally announced the launch of the President Tinubu Engineering Mentorship Programme, expected to commence in January.

According to Umahi, the initiative is expected to recruit civil engineers, electrical engineers, designers and technicians across the country offering hands-on training on legacy projects such as the coastal highway, Sokoto- Badagry coastal road and others.

The minister said after the traing, participants will be given start-up support to acquire essential equipment, in a move aimed at boosting indigenous engineering capacity of the country while reducing reliance on foreign expertise.