The Federal Government has announced that the first 47-kilometre stretch of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway will be opened to motorists in December 2025. Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed this during an inspection tour of the project on Sunday, noting that the official opening is scheduled between December 12 and 17.
Umahi stated that both the government and the project contractor are fully committed to delivering this phase of the 750-kilometre highway, which will connect nine coastal states across the federation. He affirmed that the President had directed the ministry to ensure the first segment is completed and accessible to the public before the end of the year.
“This job must be completed. We are here on the president’s directive, working for the people, to ensure that the carriageway is opened for public use by December,” Umahi said. He added that the goal is to provide uninterrupted access from channel 0 to channel 47, with progress already advancing toward channel 55.
The minister further explained that while the highway will be opened to traffic, construction will continue without interruption. He revealed that the Federal Government has set April 2026 to complete the entire Section 1 and part of Section 2, excluding bridges that fall under the Section 2 contract scope. “The contractor is working to ensure that the entire Section 1 of the highway plus half of Section 2 will be completed by April 2026,” he said.
Umahi also addressed a recent legal challenge brought by Stella Okengwu, Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services, over alleged diversion of the highway route into a purported residential development in Okun Ajah, Lagos. He revealed that a Federal High Court ruling had dismissed the suit, finding it lacking in merit.
The minister accused Okengwu of circulating false information intended to mislead the public and discourage foreign investors. According to Umahi, the claimant had alleged that the project jeopardised investments valued at over $250 million. However, he noted that what was presented as a full residential development was, in reality, only a gatehouse on an undeveloped site.
He also stated that court filings submitted by Okengwu indicated that Winhomes had already sold the contested land to third parties, undermining the basis of the company’s claims. As a result, the court held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to sue, having divested their ownership interest.
Umahi urged the public to disregard ongoing online allegations, stressing that the court ruling had exposed the claims as false. “She has been so wild in her negative comments against the good intentions of the Renewed Hope administration… The court has exposed her claims as mendacious and unfounded,” he said.
The planned December opening marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve road access and enhance economic connectivity along Nigeria’s coastline. When completed, the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway is expected to boost trade, stimulate regional development, and strengthen transportation efficiency across the South and Niger Delta regions.
