The Federal Government has temporarily opened Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway, a 47-kilometre stretch from the Ahmadu Bello Way junction to the Eleko village junction.
Works Minister, Dave Umahi, announced this on Friday, noting that the move follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
According to the minister, the temporary opening is intended to ease movement and improve traffic flow in Lagos during the festive season.
According to him, the partial reopening has fulfilled a promise earlier made by the government.
The former Ebonyi State governor, during an inspection tour of the coastal highway project on November 23, 2025, assured that Section 1 would be completed and opened to traffic between December 12 and 17, 2025.
He said the opening of the highway is expected to ease the harrowing driving experience endured by commuters in the Lekki-Ajah corridor, adding that it is also expected to reduce travel time by over 100 per cent, as well as travel cost.
The minister assured further that April 2026 has been set aside to complete Section 1 and half of Section 2 for full commissioning, excluding the bridges, which are part of the Section 2 contract.