₦airaland Forum

Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project is a scam — Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has expressed strong reservations about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as lacking in transparency and questioning its impact on Nigerians.

Speaking during a televised interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Lawal said he does not believe the project addresses the developmental needs of Nigerians, citing what he perceives as a lack of tangible progress on infrastructure across the country.

“If you ask me, ‘What projects has this government implemented so far that are visible to Nigerians and have impacted their lives?’ I cannot see any,” Lawal said. He added that in regions like northern Nigeria where he frequently travels, there is little evidence of active road construction or rehabilitation efforts.

“In the South-West, I don’t think there is any either. They are still talking about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which it appears every government talks about and votes money for, and it never goes anywhere,” he said.

Lawal was critical of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road in particular, calling it a “scam.” According to him, skepticism about the project predates its commencement, and early developments have only confirmed those doubts. “Even before they started, we knew it would be a scam, and it has become a scam,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu commissioned the first 30-kilometre phase of the project in May 2025. The stretch runs from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village in Lagos. In June, the Federal Government secured a \$747 million loan to support the broader 700-kilometre project, which is expected to cost approximately ₦15 trillion over several years.

Lawal questioned the justification for the loans taken to fund infrastructure projects, suggesting that the public has not seen sufficient results. “You borrow money from Europe, and before it comes, it is spent over there,” he said. “What can Nigerians see? What are they doing with our money?”

The project has attracted criticism from opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Some property owners along the construction corridor have also protested demolitions and demanded compensation.

Despite the pushback, government officials have defended the initiative as essential to economic development. Minister of Works David Umahi has described it as a “catalyst for growth,” arguing that the highway will benefit states across the country.

Umahi stated in December 2024 that public skepticism would ease once the broader benefits of the road become clearer. “When people stop the suspicion and digest the coastal road project very well, they will know it’s a catalyst for the growth of every state in this country,” he told the Senate Committee on Works.

https://guardian.ng/news/lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-project-is-a-scam-babachir-lawal/#google_vignette

This one lol 😂, of all people. This one too actually thought in his mind that he should have been choosen as the Vice President. The thing still dey pain am. Anyway don't drive on the road when it is completed.

President Tinubu is President 'TALK and DO'.

Raw truth. Everything about Tinubu is questionable

Seems Babachir Lawal needs some millions to cut grasses around the Coastal project

It's only a full,who doesn't know that the project was initiated to loot funds

But Grass cutting is not a scam abi ? is like coalition members think everyone is senseless like them oo

yarimo:
But Grass cutting is not a scam abi ? is like coalition members think everyone is senseless like them oo

All of una na different sides of same coin.

Na same party all of una dey, so keep calm

Abi you have forgotten you also supported him some years back?

What about grasscuter contract, Mr. Who is presidency? Is that one scam too?

It's called the Coastal Highway of Fraud for a reason

A project that has no immediate impact on the citizens can't be the priority government that removed subsidy and subjected Nigerians to excessive hardship and insecurity, unless it's a shady project meant to defraud the people and launder money.

It's like being broke, then borrowing money from loan sharks to buy a car without having a job when you can use the bus, and you're telling people the car will open up more opportunities, and will come in handy when you eventually get a job.

We know it's a scam and avenue to loot public fund. We shall send APC back to wherever they come from by 2027

When we are ready to ask right questions, every government would sit up

Where's ur source
Where's ur source
Where's ur source

Noted.

Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project is a scam — Babachir Lawal

yarimo:
But Grass cutting is not a scam abi ? is like coalition members think everyone is senseless like them oo

But at the end of the day, your government is becoming more like the grasscutter...plus the guy was part of you people once upon a time...

Mr Lawal make we hear word, under Buhari which is same APC no be same borrow borrow with no visible projects done.

nairalanda1:
But at the end of the day, your government is becoming more like the grasscutter...plus the guy was part of you people once upon a time...

your government? Oya this news is for Nigerians not Chadians

How can we all grab this power and give it to someone like Sowore for 4 years, we are in a mexx..... Bringing these corrupted politicians to book is the way out

The road that I rode on last week is not a scam. This desperado is just looking for attention.

Every SANE nigerian knows this fact✅️✅️💯💯

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Untill we pocket our tribalism and support al neutral person like sowore for presidency before Nigeria can truly be great