Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, arguing that constructing a standard two-lane carriageway costs about $5.5 million per kilometre when engineering requirements and supporting infrastructure are taken into account.
Umahi made the clarification during an interview with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe on Friday, October 23, 2026, amid public scrutiny of the cost of the highway project.
According to the minister, the estimated cost translates to between ₦7.3 billion and ₦7.5 billion per kilometre, based on the exchange rate used in his calculation.
He said the figure covers more than the road pavement, explaining that the construction involves reinforced concrete, drainage systems, bridges and ground improvement in areas with difficult soil conditions.
Umahi argued that comparing the coastal highway with other road projects without accounting for differences in design, width, terrain and supporting infrastructure could produce misleading conclusions.
Citing the 47.47-kilometre first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, valued at approximately ₦1.06 trillion, he maintained that assessments of its cost should be based on projects with comparable engineering specifications.
The minister’s explanation was aimed at defending the project’s cost by highlighting the technical requirements involved in delivering the highway, rather than treating it as an ordinary road construction project.
