The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has assured that the ambitious 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be completed before the end of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term in office.
Umahi gave this assurance on Tuesday during the signing of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance (EPC+F) contract between the Nigerian Government and Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.
He emphasised that the administration is fully committed to delivering the landmark infrastructure project, describing it as the “largest ever seen in Africa.”
The project, first envisioned 27 years ago, is now being realised under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“It is remarkable to witness and be part of this historic project. We continue to support Mr President, and with his two-term tenure, Nigerians can be assured that the entire 750km highway will be completed before he leaves office. God, who started this, will see it through,” Umahi stated.
Project Structure and Timeline
Initiated in March 2024, the highway is being developed under an EPC+F model, allowing Hitech Construction to secure foreign investment with support from the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The Nigerian Government has committed to providing 30% counterpart funding, while the remaining costs will be covered through external financing.
The first phase, spanning 47.7km from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos, is set for completion by May 2025. Umahi also revealed that each kilometre of the highway would cost approximately N4 billion.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-tracking construction while maintaining global standards to ensure the highway serves as a key driver of economic growth along Nigeria’s coastal corridor.
“The crucial ‘F’ component of the EPC+F model is now in place,” Umahi noted. “By signing this contract, we are enabling the contractor, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, to secure foreign investment. The Federal Government has committed 30% counterpart funding, which the President is honouring.”
“With the foreign financing secured, work will progress rapidly. I am pleased with Hitech’s performance, the quality of work, and the speed of construction. If not for the need to settle substantial fees, we could have commissioned the entire first section within a year, despite the project being scheduled for 36 months,” he added.