Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway: Impact on Tourism & Trade in 2025

Mercy Idoko IfunanyaAugust 18, 20250794 views

The Lagos–Calabar Road is one of Nigeria’s most talked-about projects. It will connect the busy city of Lagos to the coastal hub of Calabar, passing through several states.

The highway promises faster travel, safer journeys, and better access to beaches and tourist spots.

For traders, it means goods can move quickly between cities and ports. For tourists, it opens up a stretch of the country rich in culture, food, and scenery.

If completed as planned, the Lagos–Calabar Road could become a major driver of tourism and economic growth.

Overview of the Lagos–Calabar Road Project

The Lagos–Calabar Road will stretch roughly 700 km. It links Lagos on the west coast to Calabar in the southeast.

Construction began in March 2024, with the first 47 kilometres in Lagos starting around that time. The plan is to finish the job in about eight years.

Phase 1 cost over ₦1 trillion. It spans Lagos’s Victoria Island to Lekki-Ajah. As of mid-2025, around 65 % of that phase is done.

Recently, Nigeria secured a big loan of about $747 million to fund this first street. Furthermore, the government added $3 billion to Phase II, meant to extend construction beyond Calabar into Akwa Ibom.

The aim is to build a smooth road through nine coastal states that boosts travel, trade, and tourism.

Positive Impact of the Lagos–Calabar Road

The Lagos–Calabar Road is more than just a transport link. It is set to change how people travel, trade, and experience Nigeria’s coastal states.

Below are some of the most significant gains expected once the highway is complete.

1. Faster Travel and Better Access

The Lagos–Calabar Road could cut travel time in half, down from about 14 hours to around 7 hours. That means tourists and traders spend less time on the road.

2. A Boost for Trade and Markets

This highway will ease the movement of goods across coastal states. It helps farmers reach urban markets faster. Perishable goods stay fresh. It cuts losses and raises income.

3. Growing Tourism

Tourism could rise by 30–40% over the next decade. The road will open access to beaches, cultural festivals, and new resorts. This could bring in billions to Nigeria’s GDP.

Also, the road will link key attractions like beaches, the Calabar Carnival, and marina resorts to new audiences.

4. Jobs Galore

Construction alone could create 10,000 direct jobs. Counting indirect jobs, like suppliers and service providers, the number grows even higher.

President Tinubu said the project could benefit 30 million Nigerians by pressing new economic and social opportunities.

5. More Economic Activity

The highway is expected to inject $10–12 billion into Nigeria’s annual GDP in the first ten years. This comes from trade, tourism, fisheries, and port activity.

Trade revenues via ports could rise by as much as $5 billion annually, thanks to faster, cheaper transport.

6. Community and Connectivity

The road links nine coastal states, making remote towns part of the national grid. This enhances access to schools, hospitals, and jobs.

It also nurtures national unity. People cross regions. They discover shared cultures.

7. Real Estate and Local Growth

Better infrastructure attracts investors. Property values in areas like the Lekki corridor and Lagos New Town could soar. That means more homes, hotels, and businesses.

Stakeholder Viewpoints

Different groups have shared their thoughts on the Lagos–Calabar Road.

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) called for more openness, saying the government should release the full environmental and social impact report.

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism urged residents to cooperate with the project while assuring them that disruptions will be managed.

The Minister of Works stated that the diversion of the route was necessary to protect submarine cables, despite opposition from some Okun Ajah community leaders.

Telecom operators issued a warning about potential risks to undersea cables, citing their exclusion from early planning.

Political voices, including Peter Obi, questioned the timing and cost, urging the government to avoid another abandoned mega project.

Governors from the South-South praised the project but asked for work to also begin from the Calabar end to speed up completion.

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Challenges of the Lagos–Calabar Road Project

While the Lagos–Calabar Road holds great promise, it also faces serious hurdles. From cost concerns to environmental risks, each challenge could slow its progress or affect its long-term success.

Understanding these issues is key to seeing the complete picture of the project.

1. Transparency and Public Trust

Journalists have been blocked from accessing key construction sites. Reports say security guards, acting on instructions, turned media crews away. This has raised questions about secrecy and accountability.

2. Sky-High Costs and Suspicion

The project is costly. With estimates up to ₦15 trillion, or $11–12 billion, many Nigerians wonder if this is where the money should go.

Allegations of cronyism surround the contract award, as the contractor has close ties to political figures.

3. Environmental and Engineering Concerns

Experts warn that the highway cuts through flood-prone coastal areas. The design must include special checks like flood studies, geotechnical analysis, and drainage safeguards.

Without them, the road risks early damage. The route also crosses fragile wetlands and mangroves. Critics say environmental impact assessments were rushed or incomplete.

4. Rerouting, Delays, and Unexpected Ground Issues

Construction in swampy terrain and landfill zones has caused delays in progress. Engineers are spending time stabilising the road base and rerouting around sensitive areas, which is causing delays in the work. Planned sections were also rerouted to avoid militant-controlled zones.

5. Legal Wranglings and Displaced Communities

Some affected landowners sued the government, claiming the road encroached on their properties. Though a case was dismissed in federal court, it has now been moved to state court.

Many displaced residents argue that compensation does not match the actual value of their homes or businesses.

6. Threats to Telecom Infrastructure

The highway crosses areas with critical submarine cables, key to Nigeria’s internet and communication systems. Telecos warn about potential disruptions and call for careful coordination.

7. Security Risks Ahead

Security chiefs caution that the long highway may attract crime once it is completed. They argue that the security strategy must be integrated into the infrastructure plan.

Conclusion

The Lagos–Calabar road could transform tourism and trade along Nigeria’s coast. It promises faster travel, better access to beaches, and new business opportunities. But it also faces high costs, environmental concerns, and community disputes.

If the government works closely with stakeholders and handles these issues well, the road can become a lasting driver of growth.

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FAQs

1. When Will The Lagos–Calabar Road Be Completed?

The project is expected to take about eight years, with the first phase already underway.

2. Which States Will Benefit From The Lagos–Calabar Road?

It will pass through nine coastal states, linking Lagos to Calabar.

3. How Will the Lagos–Calabar Road Help Tourism?

It will cut travel time, make beaches and attractions easier to reach, and bring more visitors to coastal towns.