Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway renamed after Tinubu

By Paul Dada

The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.

The authorities say the move acknowledges President Bola Tinubu’s vision for the landmark infrastructure project.

Minister of Works David Umahi  whonannounced the decision during a media briefing in Abuja, also revealed that the President had approved several major road initiatives, including a 400-kilometre expansion of the Fourth Legacy Highway and the reconstruction of sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement.

Umahi explained that the Ministry of Works decided to rename the coastal highway in honour of Tinubu, citing the President’s long-standing commitment to the project.

“That (coastal) highway is named 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 dream for it.

“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream.”

The minister described the first phase of the 750-kilometre coastal highway, which runs from Victoria Island to Lekki, as a significant engineering achievement. He said the 47.47-kilometre six-lane road includes a 25-metre-wide central reservation designed to accommodate a future railway line.

Umahi further disclosed that the Fourth Legacy Highway has been expanded following presidential approval. The project, initially planned to connect Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu, will now continue 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 an 800-kilometre road now extended to 1,100 kilometres, and that is unprecedented.”

He also announced presidential approval for the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road, the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete technology, the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State and the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lao Bridge.

According to Umahi, the projects are part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen transport links, support economic growth and modernise road infrastructure across the country.