President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as a “legacy project” designed to foster national development and economic growth.
Obasanjo had earlier labeled the N15.6 trillion project as wasteful and corrupt, questioning its viability and the allocation of such a large sum of money. In his recent book, Nigeria: Past and Future, the ex-leader also criticized the current administration for spending N21 billion on a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it a misplaced priority.
In a rebuttal, President Tinubu defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a crucial infrastructure initiative that would stimulate economic activities, create jobs, and improve the movement of goods and people across the country. He emphasized that such a monumental project was essential for Nigeria's long-term growth and sustainability.
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a vital part of our administration’s commitment to improving national infrastructure and strengthening economic ties between regions,” Tinubu said. “It is a legacy project that will create significant opportunities for future generations.”
Tinubu further stated that the project, which spans the length of Nigeria’s southeastern coast, will contribute to boosting trade, enhancing logistics, and supporting the country’s broader economic development goals. He called on Nigerians to support the project, highlighting its long-term benefits for the nation’s prosperity.
Despite Obasanjo’s concerns, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway continues to be a focal point of the administration’s infrastructure agenda. While some critics have questioned the project’s cost, the Tinubu administration remains resolute in its belief that it will contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructural and economic transformation.
