Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Earns Global Recognition as Financier Wins International Award — Umahi
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s flagship infrastructure projects, has gained further international acclaim, with one of its key financiers receiving a prestigious global award in recognition of its support for the transformative project, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has revealed.
Umahi disclosed this during an inspection tour of Section Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway in Epe, Lagos State, on Friday, saying the project has become a reference point for innovative infrastructure development and is attracting growing attention from international financial institutions, foreign governments and engineering experts.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works and signed by Francis Nwaze, FIPMD, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works on Media, dated June 20, 2026.
According to the Minister, the quality of work on the project has continued to impress global stakeholders, with leading financial institutions describing the highway as a remarkable infrastructure investment.
“Deutsche Bank, which was the lead bank for the funding of 70 per cent of Sections One and Two, said that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway Project was undervalued. But the quality of the work is out of this world,” Umahi stated.
The Minister explained that the coastal highway has become a major attraction for international visitors eager to study the engineering standards and construction techniques being deployed on the project.
“People are coming. I’m told that the California Transport Minister is on this road today to look at it. Our neighbouring countries are coming to look at the quality of the road, and they are trying to snatch HITECH from us. But we will fight. We will not agree,” he said.
Financier Receives Global Award
Highlighting the project’s growing international profile, Umahi disclosed that First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), one of the institutions involved in financing the highway, recently received international recognition at the ongoing Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
According to him, the bank was honoured for its participation in the funding of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, a development he described as a major endorsement of President Tinubu’s infrastructure agenda.
“Just this week, the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) that participated in the funding was given an award at the ongoing IsDB Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for participating in this wonderful, innovative project of President Bola Tinubu,” Umahi said.
“They participated with 656 million US dollars, and they were given an award. This is something to rejoice about,” he added.
The Minister noted that the recognition demonstrates growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector and reinforces the credibility of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway as a project capable of stimulating economic growth, enhancing connectivity and unlocking investment opportunities across the country.
‘Criticise Constructively’
While acknowledging the right of Nigerians to question public projects, Umahi urged critics of the coastal highway to base their assessments on facts and objective analysis rather than misinformation.
“When people criticize the project, they have to know that it’s their right to criticize. But criticize constructively and be sure of what you are saying. Don’t darken counsel without knowledge,” he cautioned.
The Minister maintained that the project would deliver significant economic and social benefits, including job creation, tourism development, trade facilitation and regional integration.
Commitment to Accountability
Umahi also reiterated his commitment to transparency, accountability and effective supervision of federal infrastructure projects, stressing that his stewardship is guided by service to God, the Nigerian people and the administration of President Tinubu.
“I put God first in all that I do. I put the people and I put the President first, and that is the line of commitment to this job,” he said.
“My Bible tells me that by fear of God, men depart from evil. So I’m doing something in terms of supervision that tomorrow I will answer for, and also in heaven, I will answer to God Almighty.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway is one of the Federal Government’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, designed to connect coastal states, boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency and open new corridors for investment and development across southern Nigeria.
With international financiers and development institutions increasingly showing interest in the project, government officials believe the highway is fast becoming a symbol of Nigeria’s infrastructure renaissance under the Tinubu administration.
