FG To Begin Tolling On Lagos-Calabar Highway Starting December

Senator David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has announced that a section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will begin toll operations in December 2025.

Speaking during an interview for an upcoming State House documentary commemorating the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Umahi explained that the tolling initiative is part of the government’s strategy to ensure sustainable maintenance and efficient usage of the highway once it becomes operational.

He said: “By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. We project a 10-year return on investment.

“The road has solar-powered lighting and CCTV infrastructure, and offers carbon credit advantages.

“It is more than a road; it is an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional growth.”

The minister stated that 30 kilometres of Section 1 have been completed, with another 10 kilometres in Section 2 close to completion. Both sections consist of six-lane concrete-paved roads built to modern safety and durability standards.

Umahi also mentioned that work has started on Sections 3 and 3B of the highway, which together span 65 kilometres—38 kilometres in Cross River State and 27 kilometres in Akwa Ibom. He noted that the positive feedback from local communities reflects the project’s broad socioeconomic impact.

“Just days ago, we flagged off Sections 3 and 3B—65 kilometres in total, covering 38 kilometres in Cross River State and 27 kilometres in Akwa Ibom. The host communities’ excitement speaks to these projects’ transformative impact,” he said.

Umahi also emphasized the administration’s renewed commitment to the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, noting that it aligns with a broader vision that traces back to colonial-era trade routes.

“The Trans-Saharan trade route dates back to colonial-era planning. President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life,” the minister explained.