The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Tinubu, describing the move as recognition of his long-standing vision for the landmark infrastructure project.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he also revealed that President Tinubu had approved major expansions to key federal road projects across the country.
According to Umahi, the Ministry of Works approved the new name after consultations with its leadership.
“That (coastal) highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. By the powers conferred on me as Minister of Works, in consultation with my Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.
“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream,” he said.
Umahi described the first phase of the 750-kilometre highway, stretching from Victoria Island to Lekki, as a major milestone in Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
He said the 47.47-kilometre six-lane carriageway includes a 25-metre-wide median reserved for a future railway line.
The minister also announced that President Tinubu had approved a 400-kilometre extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway, increasing its planned length from 700 kilometres to 1,100 kilometres.
The project, initially designed to connect Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu, will now extend into Taraba State.
“The greatest story is that yesterday President Bola Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is an 800-kilometre road now extended to 1,100 kilometres, and that is unprecedented,” Umahi said.
He further disclosed that the President had approved the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Other approved projects include the reconstruction of sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State and construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lao Bridge.
Umahi said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to improve road connectivity, stimulate economic growth and modernise critical transport infrastructure nationwide.
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