The Federal Government has stated that the completed section 1 of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be open to vehicles between December 12 and 17. The administration is also planning to publicly launch Section 1 in April 2026. Section 1 requires approximately two kilometres to be completed. Engr. David Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed these on Sunday during an inspection tour of the coastal highway. The examination covered a total of 47.37 kilometers.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-kilometer project stretching from Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State. Speaking with journalists after the inspection, Umahi praised the project's level, pointing out that they had made demonstrable progress.
The minister added that building work was purposely paused on certain stretches to allow for correct subsurface settling, which he described as an engineering necessity critical to the road's structural integrity and long-term durability.
He praised Hitech for its "uncommon commitment" to the project, saying the company's drives "goes far beyond financial incentives."
In terms of funding for the enormous project, he stated that the foreign loan component was oversubscribed by $100 million, reflecting investor trust in the project's economic sustainability and the ministry's transparent management systems.
Danny Aboud, Hitech's Managing Director, stated that sand filling was progressing steadily over important wetland zones, and that 34 to 35 kilometers of concrete-reinforced cement pavement had been completed.
Beyond Section One, other locations investigated include a 25-kilometer dual road being built by the federal government between Eleko and Dangote Cement, Ibeju-Lekki and Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, and an extended flyover at Chainage 47.474. The flyover was built to connect Sections 1 and 2 of the coastal route.
According to Umahi at the site, the interchange, which will allow continuous traffic flow to the Dangote Refinery and the neighboring port access road, is expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2026.
The minister also announced the commencement of the President Tinubu Engineering Mentorship Programme, which is scheduled to begin in January.
According to Umahi, the effort would hire civil engineers, electrical engineers, designers, and technicians around the country and provide hands-on training on legacy projects such as the coastal highway, Sokoto-Badagry coastal road, and more.
The minister stated that after the training, participants will be granted start-up funds to purchase necessary equipment, in an effort to improve the country's indigenous engineering capabilities while minimizing reliance on foreign knowledge.