The Lagos-Calabar coastal road project faced confusion in Nigeria’s 2025 budget, sparking public criticism and debates. Many Nigerians were upset that the project, which involved the demolition of expensive properties, appeared to lack funding in the budget presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024.

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has now clarified the situation. Speaking on January 16 during the inauguration of the Abuja-Kaduna road rehabilitation, Umahi explained that the project was mistakenly labeled as “Lagos-Port Harcourt coastal highway” in the budget instead of “Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.” He assured Nigerians that his ministry is working with the National Assembly to correct the error.

According to budget records, N100 million was allocated to a line item called “Lagos-Port Harcourt coastal highway,” listed as an ongoing project. This project had been approved in February 2024, and construction started in March 2024 at the Lagos axis. By May 2024, President Tinubu officially flagged off the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Umahi further explained that the project, estimated to cost N4 billion per kilometer, is not a public-private partnership (PPP). Instead, it follows an engineering procurement and construction (EPC+) model, where the federal government provides the funding directly.

The demolition of several high-value properties in Lagos to make way for the road has raised concerns among Nigerians. Umahi emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring the successful execution of this critical infrastructure project.