Nigeria's Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Opens This May

Nigeria is about to open the first section of a transformative coastal highway that will eventually link its busiest commercial hub to communities across the southern coast.

Minister of Works David Umahi announced that section one of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be commissioned by May 2026. The project has overcome extraordinary engineering challenges, including soil pits reaching over 20 meters deep.

The three-kilometer stretch currently under inspection will open to traffic within weeks, allowing drivers to travel seamlessly from Ahmadu Bello Way through Lekki. As section two progresses, access will extend toward the Dangote Refinery area.

HITECH Construction Company absorbed unexpected soil discovery costs without increasing the project budget. Umahi praised their commitment, noting that few contractors would shoulder such financial risks to ensure a project's success.

The 700-kilometer coastal corridor will eventually connect Lagos to the South-South and South-East regions when complete. Section two is projected to finish before year's end, with all bridges across both sections completed by April 2027.

The Ripple Effect

This highway represents more than faster travel times. Communities along Nigeria's coast have long struggled with limited transportation infrastructure, which hampers economic development and emergency response capabilities.

The project creates immediate construction jobs and promises lasting benefits for regional trade. Coastal communities will gain improved access to markets, healthcare, and educational opportunities in major cities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has prioritized infrastructure development despite difficult terrain and environmental challenges. The visible progress demonstrates how strategic investment in connectivity can transform regional economies.

Security agencies are protecting the route from vandalism, including fence cutting and illegal dumping in maintenance holes. Offenders face immediate prosecution, as such acts endanger both infrastructure and public safety.

Umahi expressed confidence in completing the ambitious timeline, noting that consolidation tests in March will determine if concrete paving can begin in April. The May 20 commissioning date gives Nigeria a new artery for growth and connection.