Umahi Defends ₦7.5 Billion Per Km Lagos-Calabar Highway Amid Public Outrage and Makinde’s Challenge

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has once again found himself at the center of public debate following his fiery defense of the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, whose estimated cost of ₦7.5 billion per kilometer has ignited widespread scrutiny and political tension.

In a press conference that has since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), Umahi stood firmly by the project’s valuation, insisting that the ambitious 700+ kilometer stretch is being built to world-class standards.

He cited its reinforced concrete structure, shore protections, interchanges, and flyovers as the justification for its staggering price tag, declaring that no amount of criticism would make him compromise on quality or his integrity. “This is not an ordinary road. It is a coastal superhighway built for durability, safety, and the next generation. I will protect my name and this project with everything I have,” Umahi asserted, his tone a mix of defiance and conviction.

The controversy traces back to a heated live interview between Umahi and Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni, where Oseni challenged the minister to explain the cost breakdown and transparency surrounding the multi-trillion-naira contract.

During the exchange, Oseni pressed on why a project initially pegged around ₦13 trillion had ballooned past ₦15 trillion, asking whether Nigerians were paying for politics or progress. The minister, visibly irritated, accused Oseni of “twisting facts” and “politicizing engineering,” sparking a storm of reactions online. Clips from the interview, viewed over 3 million times, quickly turned Umahi’s composure and defensive outbursts into viral memes.

Yet the debate took an unexpected turn when Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, entered the fray. Speaking at a public event captured in a now-trending video, Makinde questioned the federal government’s cost justification, comparing the highway’s expense to ongoing Oyo State road projects, which he said cost between ₦238 million and ₦450 million per kilometer. “There’s no need to dance around the cost,” Makinde remarked pointedly. “Let’s call a spade a spade — ₦7.5 billion per kilometer is outrageous.”

His statement instantly amplified public criticism, forcing Umahi to issue a direct rebuttal. “If Governor Makinde wants to challenge my figures, let him come for a debate,” Umahi said, daring the Oyo governor to an open forum on engineering, material science, and coastal construction economics. “We are not building a road on red soil in Ibadan; we are constructing on the Atlantic coast. Let him bring his engineers, and I will bring mine. Then we’ll see who understands infrastructure,” he added, his voice laced with both pride and provocation.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway — a legacy project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration — is designed to link Nigeria’s southwestern economic hub to its southeastern shoreline, passing through Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States. While the government touts it as a game-changer for trade, tourism, and coastal resilience, critics argue it represents yet another megaproject shrouded in opacity.

Civil society groups have demanded an independent audit of the project’s funding, raising concerns about potential inflation of costs and the displacement of coastal communities. Economists point out that ₦15 trillion — roughly $10 billion — represents more than half of Nigeria’s 2025 national budget, a staggering figure for a single infrastructure venture amid record inflation, subsidy removal pains, and a weakening naira.

On X, reactions to Umahi’s latest defense were predictably divided. Some users praised his technical confidence, with one writing, “Umahi is the only minister who understands engineering, not politics. Nigerians should let experts work.” Others were far less forgiving. “₦7.5 billion per kilometer? Are they using gold asphalt?” another user quipped. Memes soon flooded timelines, showing “gold-plated roads” and “diamond flyovers,” a satirical reflection of how Nigerians often use humor to navigate anger over public spending.

Insiders close to the Ministry of Works maintain that much of the misunderstanding stems from poor communication. A senior official told Busterblog anonymously, “The project is concrete-based, not asphalt. It has shore protection layers, utility corridors, and dual flyovers every few kilometers. Nigerians see figures but don’t see what’s behind them.” Still, critics argue that a lack of open tendering, limited legislative oversight, and the involvement of politically connected contractors continue to fuel public suspicion.

Governor Makinde’s jab — and Umahi’s response — have now transformed what began as an engineering discussion into a full-blown political showdown. Many Nigerians view the exchange as symbolic of the broader mistrust between the federal government and state administrations. While Umahi insists on transparency and patriotism, opposition voices accuse him of arrogance and evasion.

For now, the Coastal Highway remains a metaphor for Nigeria’s infrastructural paradox — ambitious dreams trapped between politics and accountability. Supporters see it as a bold step toward modernization; detractors see it as another monument to elite excess. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Umahi’s vow to “protect his integrity” has become more than just a statement — it’s a battle cry in a nation still searching for the balance between progress and prudence.

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