President Bola Tinubu has announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will create direct employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians and positively impact over 30 million people nationwide. Tinubu made these remarks during the inauguration ceremony for the construction of the 700-kilometer highway and the design procurement of the 1,000-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry superhighway on Sunday in Lagos.
The President emphasized that this project aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to enhance national value and leverage Nigeria’s abundant resources. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 10-lane road project, marks a significant milestone in efforts to boost connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
“This 700-kilometer superhighway will provide direct employment for millions across coastal states and benefit over 30 million citizens, granting them access to production and marketing centers,” Tinubu stated. He highlighted that the project transcends mere infrastructure, symbolizing hope, unity, and prosperity for the nation.
Tinubu elaborated on the broader economic impacts, noting that the highway will connect communities in nine states, fostering trade, commerce, and tourism. “This project will create new opportunities for generations to come,” he added, underlining the long-term benefits of the highway for Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
The coastal infrastructure will also be directly linked to major economic hubs such as the Lekki Free Trade Zones, the Deep Seaport, and the Dangote Refinery. Tinubu stressed the importance of fully exploiting the project’s potential to bring substantial opportunities to the communities and states along the coastline.
Reassuring the public, Tinubu pledged his administration’s commitment to accelerating industrialization. He noted that proactive measures are being taken to enhance industrial growth, drive economic prosperity, and create job opportunities for Nigerians. Despite the challenges, he affirmed that significant strides are being made towards a legacy of robust infrastructure.
Tinubu also praised the industrial contributions of key players like Aliko Dangote, Hi-Tech Construction Company, and Chagoury Group. He acknowledged their resilience in navigating the challenging business environment in Nigeria and Africa, underscoring their role in the country’s industrial advancement.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 700 kilometers and traversing nine states, has been awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) arrangement. The Federal Government commenced construction in March 2024, starting with a 47.47-kilometer segment from Lagos. The second phase, extending approximately 55 kilometers from the Lekki Deep Seaport to the Ogun-Ondo boundary, has received approval from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). Additional segments will be constructed independently, including routes from Port Harcourt to Bayelsa State and from Delta State to Ondo State.