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.

“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.

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Lagos State has solidified its status as an economic powerhouse, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hitting $259 billion based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), making it the second-largest economy on the African continent, behind only Cairo, Egypt.

This milestone, announced during the official launch of the Lagos Economic Development Update (LEDU) 2025, underscores the city’s growing influence as Nigeria’s economic hub.

The LEDU report, executed under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), lays out strategies for economic resilience, fiscal sustainability, and revenue mobilization, reflecting the state’s long-term vision for development.

Speaking at the launch, Ope George, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, emphasized the importance of the 2025 LEDU, stating that it provides critical insights to guide Lagos’ economic policy decisions. He reiterated the government’s commitment to fiscal sustainability, economic diversification, and infrastructure development, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s ‘Budget of Sustainability.’

This year’s LEDU, themed ‘Lagos Economic Outlook: Charting a Resilient Path Towards a Sustainable Future,’ highlights the state’s dedication to evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development, with a focus on strengthening its revenue base.

The Lagos economy saw significant expansion in the first half of 2024, growing to N27.38 trillion, a substantial increase from N19.65 trillion in 2023. This growth is a testament to the city’s resilience amid Nigeria’s economic reforms and ongoing infrastructure investments.

However, despite its rapid economic expansion, Lagos continues to struggle with a low tax-to-GDP ratio of just 2.3%, highlighting an urgent need for improved revenue mobilization. While the state remains Nigeria’s economic nerve center and top investment destination, its ability to generate revenue falls far behind its economic potential.

Projected Growth and Economic Outlook

The Lagos GDP is expected to grow from N54.77 trillion in 2024 to N66.47 trillion in 2025, with real GDP growth projected between 5.02% and 6.49%.

The service sector is expected to remain the primary driver of this growth, supported by improvements in agriculture and industrial production. Additionally, economic stability is forecasted to be aided by a decline in petrol prices and a stable naira-to-dollar exchange rate, offering some relief amid economic turbulence.

For 2025, the Lagos State Government aims to generate N2.79 trillion in revenue but to achieve this target, the state must implement aggressive fiscal reforms and diversify its revenue base.

The Need for a More Robust Revenue Generation Strategy

During the keynote address titled ‘Bridging the Revenue Gap in Lagos: Innovative Pathways to Enhanced Revenue Mobilisation,’ Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, stressed the need for Lagos to align its revenue generation with its economic ambitions.

“Lagos is big, but its revenue is small, collecting less than 2% of GDP. While some progress has been made, we still have big room for improvement, and the time to change this narrative is now,” Oyedele stated.

He outlined three key strategies to boost Lagos’ revenue collection:

1. Property Taxation: Leveraging real estate assets to increase property tax revenue.
2. Expansion of Personal Income Tax Base: Using technology to identify high-income earners and ensure compliance.
3. Tax Harmonisation: Eliminating multiple taxation issues that hinder business growth.

Oyedele emphasized a business-friendly taxation approach, stating, “A better approach to taxation is not to tax the seed, but the fruit. Let businesses grow, and tax them fairly on their successes.”

Furthermore, he called for the formalization of the informal economy, particularly in sectors such as digital entrepreneurship, content creation, and event planning, which currently remain untapped revenue sources.

Oyedele urged Lagos to draw inspiration from global success stories such as Dubai and Singapore, highlighting their strategic economic policies that transformed them into leading financial centers.

He argued that with the right reforms, Lagos could generate up to N5 trillion annually in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), positioning it as an economic powerhouse not just in Africa, but globally.

Infrastructure Deficits and the Urgent Need for Investment

Despite its rising GDP, Lagos continues to struggle with severe deficits in basic infrastructure, particularly in housing and electricity supply. Experts have urged the state government to intensify efforts in providing affordable housing, clean water, and stable electricity, as these are critical to sustaining economic growth.

The housing deficit in Lagos is estimated to be over 3 million units, making affordable homes out of reach for the majority of residents. This challenge is exacerbated by the rapid population growth, fueled by an influx of people seeking economic opportunities in the state. The cost of renting or purchasing a home remains prohibitively high, putting pressure on low- and middle-income earners.

Additionally, Lagos faces a major energy deficit, which continues to place an enormous financial burden on residents and businesses. According to a newly released report, the energy shortfall adds an estimated N5.3 trillion annually to the cost of doing business in the state. The Lagos Economic Development Update (LEDU) 2025 reveals that while the state requires approximately 9,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, it receives only 1,000 MW from the national grid—just 11 percent of its demand.

As a result, more than 80 percent of Lagos’ population and businesses rely on off-grid power solutions, predominantly petrol, diesel, or fuel oil generators. This dependence significantly increases the cost of operations for businesses, discouraging investment and limiting the potential for industrial growth.

With its economic advantage attracting more people to Lagos, the government has been urged to take urgent steps to provide affordable housing, pipe-borne water, and a reliable power supply. Economists have warned that the state’s failure to address these pressing concerns could stifle economic progress and widen social inequality, threatening the very foundation of Lagos’ economic expansion.