Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a scathing attack on the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as wasteful, corrupt, and a misplaced priority that raises serious questions about governance and transparency under the Bola Tinubu administration.
Obasanjo’s criticism, contained in Chapter Six of his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, is one of the strongest rebukes yet against the controversial 700-kilometer project. In the book, unveiled last week during his 88th birthday celebration, the former president not only condemned the project’s cost but also questioned the manner in which it was awarded without a competitive bidding process.
The former leader also slammed the Tinubu government for approving a N21 billion new residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it an extravagant project designed as a conduit for embezzling public funds.
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“Typical examples of waste, corruption, and misplaced priority are the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on which the President had turned deaf ears to protests and the new Vice-President’s official residence built at a cost of N21bn in the time of economic hardship,” Obasanjo stated.
He further expressed concerns about the quality of leadership in Nigeria, alleging that many in power are self-serving individuals who view governance as an opportunity for personal enrichment.
“Everything is said to be transactional, and the slogan is ‘It is my turn to chop,’” Obasanjo wrote, referencing Tinubu’s widely criticized 2023 campaign mantra, “Emi lo kan.”
Criticism From Prominent Political Figures
Obasanjo is not alone in his condemnation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. Other notable Nigerian political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, have also decried the initiative, citing corruption and economic recklessness.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has openly accused the Tinubu administration of using the project as a conduit to siphon public funds. In a statement, Atiku described the contract’s award process as “opaque” and a deliberate attempt to defraud Nigerians.
“This project is nothing but an avenue for corruption. No due process was followed, no competitive bidding was conducted, and we are left with a contract that will further burden Nigerians with debt,” Atiku stated.
Similarly, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has condemned the project, questioning why such an exorbitant road construction plan was being prioritized over existing debilitated ones. Obi argued that the government’s decision to demolish thriving businesses in Lagos to make way for the project was a sign of reckless governance.
Demolitions and Business Devastation
One of the most controversial aspects of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has been the widespread demolitions it has triggered, leading to the loss of businesses, jobs, and significant tax revenue for the Lagos State government.
Among the high-profile casualties is the Landmark Resort, a popular leisure and business hub that has played a vital role in the Lagos economy. Landmark, which provided thousands of direct and indirect jobs and contributed billions of naira in taxes to the Lagos State government, was partially demolished to make way for the coastal highway.
Landmark’s CEO, Paul Onwuanibe, publicly lamented the destruction, stating that the company had invested heavily in infrastructure development and employed thousands of Nigerians.
Lack of Transparency and Due Process
The controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar highway has deepened due to its mode of execution. The project, awarded to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company, has been widely criticized for lacking transparency, as it was granted without competitive bidding. Chagoury, a long-time associate of President Tinubu, has been linked to several major government contracts under previous Lagos administrations, raising concerns about cronyism and favoritism.
David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has defended the project, claiming that it was awarded on a counterpart-funding basis rather than through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). He also revealed that the road would cost an estimated N4.93 billion per kilometer, a figure that has sparked outrage among experts and the general public.
With growing criticism from political figures and civil society, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway continues to be a major source of controversy, raising questions about fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the true beneficiaries of the project.