LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY: PRESIDENCY AFFIRMS FULL 750KM ALIGNMENT, CLARIFIES EAST-WEST ROAD INTERFACE
Construction Law Update – 14-15 October 2026
1. Executive Summary
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the full 750-kilometre dualised Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, following public concerns that sections of the original alignment through the Niger Delta had been abandoned in favour of the existing East-West Road corridor.
2. Official Clarification on Alignment
In a statement issued via the Presidency’s official X handle on 14 October 2026, the Federal Government stated that at no time did President Bola Tinubu direct that the 750km dualised Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway be discontinued to the East-West Road from Edo State.
The statement clarified that the proposed reconstruction of 400 kilometres of the East-West Road, from Edo State to Cross River State, constitutes an additional and separate project to be executed alongside the coastal highway.
The additional project is justified on the basis that the existing East-West Road is presently below flood level due to climate change effects and its pavement is badly damaged. The Presidency insisted this additional reconstruction will not affect the complete construction of the entire 750km coastal highway as initially proposed.
The clarification followed earlier comments attributed to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, that the continuation of the coastal highway would utilise the existing East-West Road alignment in parts of the Niger Delta.
3. Verified Status of Works
According to the Minister of Works in his briefing last week:
a) Section 1: 147.47 kilometres, Lagos State – Under active construction
b) Section 2: 55 kilometres – Pavement completion projected for mid-November 2026
c) Sections 3A and 3B: Approximately 70-75 kilometres through Akwa Ibom and Cross River States – Progress reported as exceeding 40%
d) Section 5: 62.5 kilometres in Akwa Ibom State – Progress reported as exceeding 20% within under three months of mobilisation
e) Sections 4A and 4B: Construction is continuing
f) Remaining Corridor: The stretch from the end of the Ondo axis through Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States linking to Section 5 is currently under survey and design.
4. Legal and Contractual Implications for Practitioners
i) No lawful variation to alignment has been issued abandoning any state on the original route.
ii) Two distinct projects: Practitioners should differentiate between (a) Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (750km) and (b) East-West Road Reconstruction (400km).
iii) No change to compensation framework: The original Right-of-Way acquisition obligations for the 750km coastal alignment remain in force.
Disclaimer: This update is a summary of official public statements as reported in the press on 14-15 October 2026 and does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners should independently verify alignment instructions and variation orders on their specific projects.
#ConstructionLaw #InfrastructureLaw #NigeriaConstruction #FIDIC #CoastalHighway #EastWestRoad #QuantitySurveying #ContractAdministration #NigerianLaw
Sources verified as at 15 October 2026:
- Arise News – Presidency Insists Coastal Highway Will Cover All States:
https://www.arise.tv/presidency-insists-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-will-cover-all-states-denies-route-abandonment/ - THISDAY Live – Presidency Disowns Plan to Bypass States:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/10/14/lagos-calabar-coastal-road-presidency-disowns-plan-to-bypass-some-states/ - Leadership NG – FG Insists on Full Coverage:
https://leadership.ng/fg-insists-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-will-cover-all-states-denies-route-abandonment/ - Further Africa – Progress Report (40%+ on southern sections):
https://furtherafrica.com/2026/10/14/lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-tops-40-on-southern-sections/