Politics · Other · 8 hrs ago
Nigeria says it stands by route changes on coastal highway
Nigeria’s government is building the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a road planned to run through several states along the country’s coast.
Works Minister Dave Umahi said the route in Ondo State was changed because the original terrain had deep pits and was difficult to build on.
The change drew petitions alleging that the project had been diverted, but Umahi said the decision was based on engineering needs.
He said the ministry was filling the pits to create a stable base for the road.
The highway is being built in sections, and Umahi said its first 47.47-kilometre section was complete and ready for commissioning.
He said pavement work on the second section was expected to be completed by November, while work on other sections was continuing.
The project also includes major bridges and road crossings, some of which have been delayed by investigations, redesigns and the need to accommodate heavy trucks.
Works Minister Dave Umahi said Nigeria’s federal government stands by changes to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route in Ondo State.
He said the route was altered to avoid difficult terrain, including deep pits, and to address construction challenges.
The ministry said filling work in the affected area was almost complete.
Umahi said Section One, covering 47.47 kilometres, was complete and ready for commissioning.
He also said the president approved continuing the highway through the existing East-West Road rather than creating a new route from Ondo into Edo.
- Who
- Works Minister Dave Umahi said the federal government stands by its decisions. The route decision was approved by President Bola Tinubu.
- What
- The government defended realigning the Ondo section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
- When
- Umahi gave the update in Abuja on Wednesday. The article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The route changes concern the highway’s Ondo section in Nigeria.
- Why
- Umahi said the difficult terrain, including deep pits, made realignment necessary and that the changes would help deliver a stable, durable road.
Petitioners alleging diversion
Federal Ministry of Works
Route alignment
Petitioners alleging diversion
They submitted petitions alleging the project had been diverted.
Federal Ministry of Works
The ministry said the realignment was necessary because of difficult terrain and engineering challenges.
Umahi gave an update in Abuja on federal road projects and defended decisions concerning the Ondo section.
Section Two’s pavement was expected to be completed, while work on major flyovers, underpasses and overpasses would continue.
- Section One
- 47.47 kilometres; fully completed and ready for commissioning
- Section Two
- 55 kilometres; pavement expected to be completed by November
- Sections 4A and 4B
- 67 kilometres: 27 kilometres in Ogun State and about 40 kilometres in Ondo State
- Sections 3A and 3B
- 65 kilometres; more than 30 per cent completed
- Section Five
- About 82 kilometres in Akwa Ibom State
What people are saying
We have no regret for decisions taken at Ondo. For us, it is their right to write a petition; it is my right to take the right decision.
Yet you expect the cost of one kilometre of route passing through a normal terrain to be the same cost with that?
Sources
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