Tinubu Champions National Development Through Infrastructure, Local Empowerment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has underscored his administration’s strategic focus on infrastructure development, local capacity building, and responsible urban planning as key pillars of national progress. Speaking at the official commissioning of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos on Saturday, the President reiterated his commitment to promoting local content and transferring technical expertise to Nigerians.

Highlighting the broader vision behind the ongoing infrastructure projects, President Tinubu directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and other officials to prioritize compliance with local content regulations and ensure Nigerians are adequately trained to sustain technological advancements.

“As we build our future, we must also build local skills,” Tinubu said, stressing that infrastructure development must not only create jobs but also empower communities and foster homegrown expertise.

In a firm stance on urban development regulations, the President announced that developers who flout setback rules and fail to obtain proper approvals will forfeit compensation. This, he noted, is essential to uphold the rule of law and sustainable urban planning.

“Federal guidelines on building setbacks are not optional. They’re national priorities rooted in safety and development. Violators will not be rewarded,” he stated.

President Tinubu also acknowledged the engineering feat led by Ronald Chagoury in protecting Victoria Island and Ikoyi from encroaching ocean waters, describing it as a turning point in coastal resilience. “We achieved what many thought impossible. We prevented a disaster larger than a tsunami,” he declared.

Amid the ceremony, the President called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and patient, assuring them of steady economic recovery marked by improving foreign exchange stability and declining food prices.

“This is not just a road project. It’s a symbol of renewed hope and a stronger Nigeria,” Tinubu concluded, thanking all stakeholders—ministers, contractors, and citizens—for their cooperation and commitment. He also urged communities to safeguard these public assets for the benefit of future generations.

“This is Phase I: Section I: Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula, a section of the 700km iconic project spanning the coastal areas of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States.

“Let me appreciate the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. (Dr) Nweze David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of State Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Funso Adebiyi and all staff of the Federal Ministry of Works that made today’s commissioning possible. I thank you all for your commitment to this project.

“I congratulate Messrs. Hitech Construction Company Limited for taking this job and showing that Nigerian firms can perform to world standards and achieve excellence in infrastructure development. It is most pleasing to note that the highway was constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement instead of Flexible Pavement, thereby assuring durability,” the President stated.

The projects commissioned by the President in the South-South region are the rehabilitation of Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road Section II (Ugep-Katsina-Ala) in Benue/Cross River States, dualisation of East-West Road Section II (Sub Section I) Eleme Junction in Port Harcourt – Ahoada in Rivers State; rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep (Iyamoyung-Ugep) Section in Cross River State. Upgrading of 15km Section of the East-West Road Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction)-Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.

President Tinubu commissioned the rehabilitated Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III, Enugu-Lokpanta, in the South East Zone, a new bridge at Akpoha in Ebonyi State to replace the near-collapsed bridge; reconstruction of the collapsed Enugu Bridge at New Artisan Market Enugu-Port Harcourt Road in Enugu State.

Other commissioned projects in the South West Zone are: Rehabilitation, Construction & Expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section II in Oyo State; rehabilitation of Ikorodu-Shagamu Road in Lagos State; emergency comprehensive repair of the Eko Bridge (4.1km) in Lagos State (from Alaka, Surulere-Apongbon including all Ramps); the construction of Deep-Sea Port Access Road in Lagos State through Epe to Shagamu – Benin Expressway in Lagos and Ogun States.

In the North Central Zone, President Tinubu commissioned the construction of the Shendam Bridge in Plateau State and the Ilobu-Enrile road in Kwara and Osun States.

In the North East Zone, he commissioned the Jimeta Bridge in Yola, Adamawa State.

In the North West Zone, he commissioned the reconstructed Yakasai Badume-Damargu-Marken Zalli Roads in Kano State and the reconstruction of Kano-Kwanar Danja Hadeja Section II: Kano-Tsalle in Kano and Jigawa State.

President Tinubu flagged off the following new projects: Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Edo States; construction of Nembe-Brass Road; construction of a section of Enugu-Onitsha Carriageway (total length of 107km); and rehabilitation of Zaria-Hunkuyi-Kufur-Gidan Mutum Daya Road in Kaduna/Kano States.

Also, the President flagged off the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road, linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno States (Section I: Kano-Wudil-Shuarin), which has a Total length of 105km; the construction of Kano Northern Bypass Road in Kano State; and the construction of Maiduguri Bypass Road.

Sen. Godswill Akapbio, the President of the Senate, assured the President of more support from the National Assembly to reposition the country’s economy.

The Minister of Works noted that the Federal Government spent N18 billion compensating all those affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi said the President directed that all projects must consider the well-being of Nigerians and issues of sustainability.

Governors of Lagos, Delta, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Borno, Ekiti, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, and Imo attended the event.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Chagoury brothers, and contractors witnessed the event.

Industry captains, including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, attended the commissioning ceremony.

More photos from the inauguration ceremony: