Atiku alleges Lagos-Calabar highway cost inflation

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced concerns that the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway’s cost has been inflated. Speaking on Wednesday, he called for an independent value‑for‑money audit and urged that payments be suspended until it is verified that the project truly serves the national interest.

The highway, launched by the Tinubu administration, has been controversial because of its high price tag. Atiku initially warned that the cost could be as high as N8 billion per kilometre. Minister of Works David Umahi first dismissed this figure, suggesting the cost would be closer to N4 billion per kilometre. However, Umahi later conceded that the actual cost is indeed near N8 billion per kilometre, effectively confirming Atiku’s original claim and raising questions about the Tinubu administration’s transparency in handling one of Nigeria’s most expensive infrastructure projects.

Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, issued a statement underscoring the former vice president’s concerns. The statement stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, especially for large‑scale projects such as the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway.

While the highway aims to improve transportation and stimulate economic development in the region, the cost controversy has sparked debate over the efficient use of public resources. Ensuring that the interests of the Nigerian people are prioritized requires that the project be executed with full transparency and accountability. The call for an independent audit and the suspension of payments until the project’s value is confirmed highlight the importance of fiscal responsibility in government initiatives. Ongoing monitoring will be essential to guarantee that the government delivers value for money to its citizens.