The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometer Superhighway project, aims to connect nine coastal states in Nigeria, from Victoria Island, Lagos to Calabar, Cross River State. Conceptualized in 1955, the project commenced in March 2024 under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a budget of N15.36 trillion. The project intends to physically connect the western and South-Eastern regions of Nigeria, improving cross-country connectivity and trade relations. The highway will pass through Ogun State, Ondo State, Edo State, Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, and Akwa Ibom State.
The project has been hailed as a catalyst for economic transformation, but its execution has triggered fierce legal and constitutional battles. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially flagged off the construction of Phase 1 in March 2024, which was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) model. The highway is designed with 10 lanes and an integrated central rail reserve. Initial portions of Phase 1 were temporarily opened to public traffic in late 2025, with major segments reaching advanced completion targets through 2026.
The project is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, particularly in trade and commerce, by reducing transit times between major commercial hubs. The highway will also enhance shoreline resilience and flood mitigation, with engineering technology including underground drainage, flood gates, and elevated concrete pavements. According to the Federal Ministry of Works, this satisfies national infrastructural standards and serves to proactively address coastal erosion.
The project has also opened up the southern coastline to massive public and private sector investments in maritime tourism, logistics, and housing. This unlocks the commercial value of lands within the statutory control of the respective state governments, as empowered by the Land Use Act of 1978. When harnessed positively, it should help to decongest the cities and reduce urban migration.
Despite its long-term benefits, the project faces intense legal criticism over its implementation, particularly with regards to land acquisition and compensation. Dozens of property owners have decried forceful eviction and the demolition of multi-million-dollar investments. The compulsory acquisition of private property is permitted under the law, but Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution explicitly forbids it unless it is for public purposes, subject to the prompt payment of adequate compensation.
Many communities and investors have raised concerns about the arbitrariness in the implementation and enforcement of the coastal road alignments. Some of the affected parties argue that the compensation offered by the government is grossly inadequate and fails to match the fair market value dictated by Section 29 of the Land Use Act, 1978. The reallocation of acquired corridors to alternative private entities has also been criticized.
The project has sparked controversy, with various stakeholders calling for transparency and accountability in its implementation. The Federal Ministry of Works and the government have been urged to address the concerns of affected communities and ensure that the project is carried out in accordance with the law. The project's success will depend on the government's ability to balance economic development with social and environmental responsibility.
Key points
- The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has sparked controversy over land rights, public procurement transparency, and environmental accountability.
- The project aims to connect nine coastal states in Nigeria, improving cross-country connectivity and trade relations.
- The project's execution has triggered fierce legal and constitutional battles, particularly with regards to land acquisition and compensation.
