The Big Tent Coalition, led by Utomi, has strongly criticized the Federal Government's plan to hold another expensive inauguration ceremony for Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The 47.47-kilometre section is barely 6% of the 750-kilometre project spanning nine coastal states. This development comes after a similar ceremony on May 31, 2025, for just 30 kilometres of the road.
The coalition's Director of Media and Communications, Charles Odibo, questioned the government's priorities, stating that celebrating fractions of projects with fanfare and millions of naira in public funds is not what Nigerians need. He asked, "Since when did the commissioning of unfinished, partial stretches of road become the new normal of governance in Nigeria?" The coalition believes these events are an insult to a nation struggling with human development.
According to the Big Tent Coalition, Nigeria ranks 164th out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index with a score of just 0.560. The country's life expectancy is approximately 54.5–54.9 years, one of the lowest in the world. These statistics highlight the vast challenges facing Nigeria, including poverty, education, and security.
The World Bank estimates that Nigeria's poverty rate stands at around 63% in 2025/2026, meaning about 139–140 million Nigerians live below the poverty line. Education remains in crisis, with learning poverty estimated at about 70% for children under 10, and millions still out of school. Furthermore, Nigeria ranks near the bottom of the Global Peace Index, and features among countries most affected by terrorism.
The Big Tent Coalition criticized the Tinubu administration for lacking competence, capacity, compassion, and character required to govern a serious nation. While ordinary Nigerians struggle with hunger, insecurity, and collapsing public services, the government finds resources for repeated expensive ceremonies over incomplete roads.
The coalition reminded citizens that this election season presents a clear choice and urged them to reject the current pattern of governance. They called on Nigerians to vote for leaders who prioritize results over rituals, people over pageantry, and genuine development over wasteful jamborees, citing leaders such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The Big Tent Coalition emphasized that Nigerians should see through the optics and unfinished projects dressed up as legacy achievements. The coalition's statement reflects growing concerns about the government's priorities and its handling of critical infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Key points
- The Big Tent Coalition criticizes the government's priorities and handling of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
- Nigeria faces significant development challenges, including poverty, education, and security issues.
- The coalition urges citizens to vote for leaders prioritizing genuine development over wasteful ceremonies.
