₦airaland Forum

ibabz:
Oga, e be like say na only you waka go school, rest of us just dey watch you shine your “big grammar,” abi? Funny thing be say, na you still dey struggle to explain wetin you even write.

That your line, “saw toll on another road, therefore projected it on the coastal road and started calculating”, you sure say you understand am yourself? Or you just dey arrange words hoping say e go sound deep?

Out of everything wey I talk, na only “tens of billions” you manage hold onto? That one alone dey tell me plenty about the depth of your argument… and maybe the quality of the education wey you dey brag about.

Since you don position yourself as grammar inspector, make I help you small. What I used no be exaggeration for the sake of noise, it’s called “Metonymy” in figure of speech where a related idea stands in for a broader reality, like expressing a massive financial burden or long-term economic weight.

But I no go blame you too much, no be every “big grammar” be understanding.

Pele, I understand your pains and frustration. It’s not easy to defend a failure without sounding like one.

🤣😂😅Tens of billions is metonymy?...once coastal road starts,kano rail has stopped... I understand now. Thanks

CodeTemplar:
It serves the contractor n builders.

Only uneducated ignorant people will discredit the economic benefit and others this will bring when it’s done.

What people should talk about instead of the benefit of the road is, the budget allocated for it, the methodology employed in awarding the contracts not the benefits.


Nigerian youths are so docile in a lot of things.

Well I don’t know expect anything less.

ibabz:
By all appearances, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is being sold as a symbol of progress. But beneath the glossy narrative lies a far more uncomfortable question:

p.

The Lagos to Calabar highway should also be used as an opportunity to create another National power grid running from Calabar ( power generation hub) to Lagos. Then from Lagos to Sokoto on new high way.

ibabz:
Education isn’t a scam after all.

Happy you realized that.

Britishpea:
Only uneducated ignorant people will discredit the economic benefit and others this will bring when it’s done.

What people should talk about instead of the benefit of the road is, the budget allocated for it, the methodology employed in awarding the contracts not the benefits.


Nigerian youths are so docile in a lot of things.

Well I don’t know expect anything less.

Whenever I read comments like yours, I don’t feel offended, I feel concerned.

Concerned because it clearly shows how easily serious conversations in this country are reduced to shallow takes and emotional outbursts. You called youths “docile,” yet your response is a perfect example of the very intellectual laziness you’re trying to criticize.

Let’s get one thing straight: at no point in my article did I expressly condemn the coastal road project. Not once. So if that is your takeaway, then either you didn’t read the article in full, or you read it with a predetermined bias and simply looked for something to attack.

My argument was clear and structured around three things: priority, cost, and accessibility.

First, priority (scale of preference).
I raised a simple but critical question: given limited resources, what should come first?

Nigeria’s biggest immediate problem today is the rising cost of living, especially food. Now, we already know that the Middle Belt and Northern regions are major agricultural hubs. We also know that one of the biggest drivers of high food prices is transportation and logistics.

So logically, expanding and strengthening the rail system, especially projects already initiated would allow bulk movement of goods across regions at a cheaper and faster rate. That directly impacts the average Nigerian by reducing food prices.

That is not theory. That is basic economics.

So the question is: why prioritize a coastal highway over infrastructure that directly addresses the most urgent economic pressure on citizens?

That’s a legitimate policy question, not an attack.

Second, cost.
Public estimates put this project in the region of trillions of naira, with per-kilometer costs running into several billions. Whether you like it or not, any project of that magnitude deserves scrutiny.

Blind acceptance is not patriotism. It is negligence.

If a government is spending that much money, especially in an economy where millions are struggling, it is only right for citizens to ask:

Why this project?
Why this cost?
What exactly are we paying for?

If you are uncomfortable with those questions, then the issue is not my article, the issue is your understanding of accountability.

Third, accessibility and affordability.
From available information and existing patterns, it is reasonable to expect that such a project will be tolled to recover costs. Now let’s be honest: who will actually be able to afford to use this road regularly?

When you place potential toll costs side by side with the realities of Nigerian income levels, minimum wage around ₦70,000 and many workers earning between ₦100,000–₦150,000, the concern becomes obvious.

Infrastructure that the majority cannot afford to use raises a fundamental question: who is it really for?

These are the issues I raised. Nothing more, nothing less.

What I expected from anyone who genuinely understands public policy was a data-driven counterargument:

Show why this project should take priority over rail.

Justify the cost with clear economic returns.

Explain how it benefits the average Nigerian, not just in theory but in practice.

Instead, what I get are emotional reactions, personal attacks, and empty statements like “youths are docile.” Seriously?

Let me say this plainly:
The real problem is not that people disagree. The problem is that many people no longer know how to think critically.

You read a headline and before reading the article you have already form an opinion instantly, and then spend the rest of the time defending that opinion without ever engaging the actual argument.

And then you call others docile?

No! What we are seeing is something worse, a culture of reaction without comprehension.

If this is the level of discourse we continue to normalize, then yes, progress will remain slow, not because ideas are lacking, but because serious conversations are constantly dragged down by people who refuse to engage them seriously.

So next time, before rushing to comment, do something simple: read to understand, not to react.

And of course, I don’t expect you to read to this point before you comment again. This I have seen.

Britishpea:
Only uneducated ignorant people will discredit the economic benefit and others this will bring when it’s done.

What people should talk about instead of the benefit of the road is, the budget allocated for it, the methodology employed in awarding the contracts not the benefits.


Nigerian youths are so docile in a lot of things.

Well I don’t know expect anything less.

Also, what I expected from the so called educated “unignorant” is to list those benefits and other. That’s how to engage constructively.

TokoEkambi:
Since your night bus route to Lagos doesn't pass through there it means the road is useless, right?

Your response lacks substance. Write like someone who is not mentally lazy.

Christistruth03:
If they don’t like the Highway they should just stay off it and let better people pass

No be by force to use the Road

They can go use Jungle path

At least after 6 months dem go reach Calabar

If this is all what your brain can process after reading the article, perhaps your education is a waste. People are discussing something as logical as this and this is all what you can contribute? Tueh!!!!

MarketDispatch:
The Lagos to Calabar highway should also be used as an opportunity to create another National power grid running from Calabar ( power generation hub) to Lagos. Then from Lagos to Sokoto on new high way.

National power grid? Pls can you explain this? I’m willing to learn.

ibabz:
Also, what I expected from the so called educated “unignorant” is to list those benefits and other. That’s how to engage constructively.

Google is your friend. Who will list things for mo…Rons on Nairaland who don’t see good in anything?? If you want to learn, there are numbers of avenue these days to do that. Educate yourself that is why you claimed that you are educated.

ibabz:
Whenever I read comments like yours, I don’t feel offended, I feel concerned.

Concerned because it clearly shows how easily serious conversations in this country are reduced to shallow takes and emotional outbursts. You called youths “docile,” yet your response is a perfect example of the very intellectual laziness you’re trying to criticize.

Let’s get one thing straight: at no point in my article did I expressly condemn the coastal road project. Not once. So if that is your takeaway, then either you didn’t read the article in full, or you read it with a predetermined bias and simply looked for something to attack.

My argument was clear and structured around three things: priority, cost, and accessibility.

First, priority (scale of preference).
I raised a simple but critical question: given limited resources, what should come first?

Nigeria’s biggest immediate problem today is the rising cost of living, especially food. Now, we already know that the Middle Belt and Northern regions are major agricultural hubs. We also know that one of the biggest drivers of high food prices is transportation and logistics.

So logically, expanding and strengthening the rail system, especially projects already initiated would allow bulk movement of goods across regions at a cheaper and faster rate. That directly impacts the average Nigerian by reducing food prices.

That is not theory. That is basic economics.

So the question is: why prioritize a coastal highway over infrastructure that directly addresses the most urgent economic pressure on citizens?

That’s a legitimate policy question, not an attack.

Second, cost.
Public estimates put this project in the region of trillions of naira, with per-kilometer costs running into several billions. Whether you like it or not, any project of that magnitude deserves scrutiny.

Blind acceptance is not patriotism. It is negligence.

If a government is spending that much money, especially in an economy where millions are struggling, it is only right for citizens to ask:

Why this project?
Why this cost?
What exactly are we paying for?

If you are uncomfortable with those questions, then the issue is not my article, the issue is your understanding of accountability.

Third, accessibility and affordability.
From available information and existing patterns, it is reasonable to expect that such a project will be tolled to recover costs. Now let’s be honest: who will actually be able to afford to use this road regularly?

When you place potential toll costs side by side with the realities of Nigerian income levels, minimum wage around ₦70,000 and many workers earning between ₦100,000–₦150,000, the concern becomes obvious.

Infrastructure that the majority cannot afford to use raises a fundamental question: who is it really for?

These are the issues I raised. Nothing more, nothing less.

What I expected from anyone who genuinely understands public policy was a data-driven counterargument:

Show why this project should take priority over rail.

Justify the cost with clear economic returns.

Explain how it benefits the average Nigerian, not just in theory but in practice.

Instead, what I get are emotional reactions, personal attacks, and empty statements like “youths are docile.” Seriously?

Let me say this plainly:
The real problem is not that people disagree. The problem is that many people no longer know how to think critically.

You read a headline and before reading the article you have already form an opinion instantly, and then spend the rest of the time defending that opinion without ever engaging the actual argument.

And then you call others docile?

No! What we are seeing is something worse, a culture of reaction without comprehension.

If this is the level of discourse we continue to normalize, then yes, progress will remain slow, not because ideas are lacking, but because serious conversations are constantly dragged down by people who refuse to engage them seriously.

So next time, before rushing to comment, do something simple: read to understand, not to react.

And of course, I don’t expect you to read to this point before you comment again. This I have seen.

If you like write a million things. Nairaland has far reduced from where anyone comes to learn. It’s a forum for bangs, bants and hateful words. And so we shall treat it until we see otherwise.
Haven’t you written educative comment here whereas you got abused for it before?? Don’t engage me with the sermon “but make a difference” not here boy!
I have no time to engage people who don’t want to learn. U bring stone I send a brimstone.

I believe in one on one conversation you can’t stand my explanatory prowess.

Buccalcavity2:
You are the joke here. I never said the road is not going to be tolled. I'm in fact in support of the road being tolled. I queried your extrapoltion of the tolling fee. Its above your head, i see.
Now explaim how $11-13b turned to tens of billions of dollars!

Education is not a waste after all. Once a figure crosses "10" it becomes "tens" and if that's your only clap back against the thread, then even you know that the road is a waste of precious resources.

Britishpea:
If you like write a million things. Nairaland has far reduced from where anyone comes to learn. It’s a forum for bangs, bants and hateful words. And so we shall treat it until we see otherwise.
Haven’t you written educative comment here whereas you got abused for it before?? Don’t engage me with the sermon “but make a difference” not here boy!
I have no time to engage people who don’t want to learn. U bring stone I send a brimstone.

I believe in one on one conversation you can’t stand my explanatory prowess.

Oga, that guy bodied you. Sit out this conversation. It's meant for adults.

Dbegining:
Education is not a waste after all. Once a figure crosses "10" it becomes "tens" and if that's your only clap back against the thread, then even you know that the road is a waste of precious resources.

Not in the mood to educate any mischievious mind. I raised 3 issues. You picked one and grabbed at straws.
Ok. Project is not needed, its a waste, has no economic impact. Now run along.

Dbegining:
Oga, that guy bodied you. Sit out this conversation. It's meant for adults.

Not for nonen… tities like you people. Reading from me you will know that I can dissect any topic at least to a reasonable extent. But not on politics in this forum anymore. I don’t engage buff…oons… other platforms yes.