From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a genuinely transformative infrastructure project that embodies the vision and aspirations of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held in Lagos on Saturday, Governor Otu joined President Tinubu and fellow governors from Borno, Bayelsa, Lagos, Edo, Ogun, and Imo States, along with other dignitaries, for the formal launch of Phase One, Section One of the highly anticipated coastal highway.
The inaugurated 30-kilometer, six-lane expressway segment is expected to significantly improve transportation, boost regional trade, and drive economic development across Nigeria’s southern corridor.
The event, presided over by President Tinubu, also featured the virtual commissioning of several completed federal road projects and the flag-off of new ones across the southern region, marking a key milestone in the administration’s infrastructure renewal drive.
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Governor Otu said:
“This project solidifies President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment and bold vision for a greater Nigeria. The completion of this first 30-kilometer stretch is already unlocking a corridor of immense economic opportunities.”
He confirmed that construction is actively ongoing on the Calabar axis of the highway, with contractors already mobilized to site.
“Work has commenced on our section of the project, and we are confident the benefits will be far-reaching. Upon completion, the highway will significantly reshape the economic trajectory of all states along the coastline, particularly Cross River,” he noted.
Governor Otu emphasized the timeliness of the initiative, aligning it with his administration’s people-centered development strategy.
“This highway couldn’t have come at a better time. In Cross River, we are intentional about growth. This project, among others, brings us closer to unlocking the full potential of our people and economy.”
He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the successful delivery of the project, pledging full cooperation with the federal government and other relevant stakeholders.
“We stand ready to support every step of this transformative journey. Cross River is fully on board,” he assured.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship initiative of the Tinubu administration, is designed to span approximately 700 kilometers, linking Lagos to Calabar and traversing several coastal states.
Since its groundbreaking in March 2024, the project has recorded remarkable progress. According to the Federal Ministry of Works, Section One—a 47-kilometer stretch from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos to the Lekki Deep Seaport—has seen the completion of the initial 30 kilometers, which were commissioned during the ceremony. The remaining 17 kilometers are currently undergoing sand-filling and foundational works.
Section Two, covering 57 kilometers from the Lekki Deep Seaport to Ogun State, is progressing steadily, while Section Three, spanning 65 kilometers across parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, commenced construction in April 2025.
In total, approximately 169 kilometers of the 700-kilometer superhighway are currently under active construction—a feat achieved in record time, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to transformative infrastructure.
Once completed, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be a game-changer for Nigeria—enhancing interconnectivity between states, accelerating tourism and commerce, and catalyzing regional integration and prosperity, especially for coastal states like Cross River.