Minister of Works, David Umahi, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu first conceived the idea for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Super Highway about 25 years ago while serving as Lagos State Governor.
Umahi made the disclosure during an inspection of a 258-kilometre segment of the 1,068-kilometre highway in Gulumbe, Kebbi State. The section under review forms part of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, which spans multiple regions.
“The idea for the Coastal Highway project originated with the President during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, nearly twenty-five years ago,” Umahi stated. “This project is a dream come true for him.”
The minister praised Tinubu for approving funds and providing leadership for the highway’s construction, calling it proof of the administration’s commitment to national development. He dismissed social media criticism of the project’s regional focus, clarifying that the four Legacy Road Projects initiated by the President cover all six geopolitical zones, with the northern zones accounting for 52% of the total length.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, thanked Tinubu for the federal government’s support and infrastructure projects in the state. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, noted that the administration is exploring innovative financing models to fund large-scale infrastructure.
The inspection was attended by top officials, including former Kebbi State Governor Senator Usman Dakingari and the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Usman Ankwai.
