President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, commissioned the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant in Lagos, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering lasting infrastructure across Nigeria.
The President also called on state governors to align their planning approvals with the Federal Government, stressing that such coordination would fast-track the construction of vital infrastructure projects nationwide.
“I have directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Surveyor General of the Federation to work more closely with the governors,” Tinubu said. “Aligning state and federal approvals will reduce compensation burdens and avoid delays in executing people-oriented projects.”
He further emphasized the Federal Government’s ban on dredging within a 10-kilometre radius of all national bridges, urging immediate enforcement by all state authorities and security agencies.
The ceremony comes just days after the commissioning of Phase 1 of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. President Tinubu praised all stakeholders—including the Federal Ministry of Works, Dangote Industries, BUA, and Hitech Construction—for their commitment to infrastructure delivery.
Addressing criticism over the scope and awarding of the government’s legacy projects, President Tinubu clarified that contracts were awarded sectionally and transparently.
“The 30 km completed segment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is part of a 47.7 km, six-lane Section I contract. It is not a blanket 750 km award as misrepresented by some,” he stated.
Highlighting several legacy road projects, Tinubu spotlighted the revival of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway—a vision dating back to the Shagari administration. The massive corridor spans Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, and is expected to boost agriculture, trade, and renewable energy opportunities.
He noted that over 10 km of the 258 km stretch in Kebbi State has been completed, with the second carriageway now flagged off. In Sokoto, construction is progressing on a 120 km section, with similar plans underway across the entire corridor.
Other infrastructure initiatives underway include:
- Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (55 km from Lagos to Ogun)
- Cross River and Akwa Ibom sections of the Coastal Highway
- Trans-Sahara Trade Route connecting Calabar to Abuja
- Accelerated design for the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe corridor
President Tinubu assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to complete these projects for national economic benefit.
In addition to the Lekki Access Road, the President also commissioned:
- Yakasai to Zalli Road, Kano State
- Shendam Bridge, Plateau State
- Kwanar-Hadejia Road (82 km), Kano/Jigawa States
- Jimeta Bridge, Adamawa State
- Ilobu-Erinle Road, Kwara/Osun States
- Cham-Numan Bridge, Adamawa State
He also flagged off construction of multiple new projects including:
- Section I Phase IB (120 km) and Section II Phase 2 B (258 km) of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway
- Zaria-Hunkuyi-Daya Road (152.67 km)
- Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road (49.55 km)
- Dualisation of Kano–Maiduguri Road (100.95 km)
- Maiduguri Ring Road (108 km)
- Kano Northern Bypass (74 km)
- 7th Axial Road from Lekki Deep Sea Port to Ijebu-Ode (25 km)
- Lokoja–Benin Road rehabilitation
- Dualisation of Oyo—Ogbomoso Road (104 km)
- Dualisation of Kano—Daura—Kongolam Road (264 km)
- Bama–Banki Road reconstruction (49.15 km)
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to key private sector contributors including Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Aliko Dangote, describing them as “four wise men” helping to drive Nigeria’s economic progress.
Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, speaking on behalf of other state governors present, thanked the President for the fuel subsidy removal, noting it had led to improved state revenues and investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He pledged continued state-level collaboration with the Federal Government.
In his remarks, Aliko Dangote thanked the President for initiating the Lekki Deep Sea Port project during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, praising its transformative impact on Nigeria’s trade logistics.
“I am happy that the Deep Sea Port I initiated as Governor of Lagos State is a huge success today. Users save vast amounts of money using this port because they no longer need to trans-ship their goods,” Tinubu said.
The event was attended by governors from Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Ogun, Borno, and Kaduna states.
