13/10/2026
Why is everyone talking about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway?
A major debate started after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that parts of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly in Ondo State, will be realigned due to engineering challenges.
According to the minister, the original alignment passed through areas with very deep pits (over 100 metres), difficult terrain, and flooding risks, making construction significantly more expensive and technically challenging. He said the Federal Government chose a different route to ensure the project remains practical and sustainable.
This announcement quickly sparked concern online because many Nigerians believed the highway would follow the coastline throughout its journey from Lagos to Calabar. Critics questioned whether moving sections away from the coast changes the original vision of a “coastal highway.”
However, following the public reaction, the Federal Government issued a clarification. The Ministry of Works stated that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has not been cancelled or abandoned. Instead, it explained that the 750 km Coastal Highway remains the main project, while the reconstruction of the East-West Road is an additional project, not a replacement. Surveys and designs for the remaining coastal sections are still ongoing.
For now, the discussion continues.
Some people believe the government should preserve the original coastal alignment at all costs.
Others believe that engineering safety, climate resilience, and long-term durability should take priority, even if it means adjusting parts of the route.
What do you think? Should the government stick to the original coastal route, or should practicality come first?
