First Phase Of Lagos-Calabar Highway To Be Completed By May 2025 – Umahi
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced on Monday that the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is set to be completed by May 29, 2025. This 47.7-kilometer stretch, which starts from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos State, began construction in March 2024, led by Hitech Construction Company Limited. Once completed, the road will be tolled for 5 to 10 years to recover construction costs.
During an inspection of the site, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the progress, particularly the refilling of a section that was once a dump site. He emphasized the quality of the work and assured that the first section would be ready by the projected deadline. “We’re going to toll it and get our money back within 5 to 10 years,” Umahi stated.
In addition to tolling, the Federal Government plans to develop the land along the highway for tourism, factories, and housing to further enhance the project’s returns. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometer project spanning nine states, is aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic growth along Nigeria’s coastline. It is expected to alleviate pressure on Apapa Wharf, which faces cargo handling challenges due to its shallow berths.
The highway will also play a critical role in facilitating goods transport from major industries like the Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer Plant within the Lekki Free Trade Zone. It will connect to the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, improving logistics and supply chains across the North, South-West, South-South, and South-East regions.
Awarded under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) arrangement, the project sees Hitech Construction assuming most of the financial and construction risks, while the federal government provides counterpart funding. Though the entire 700-kilometer highway is projected to take eight years to complete, multiple sections will begin simultaneously as approvals and procurement processes are finalized.
