On May 31, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced via his official X account the commissioning of the first 30 kilometers of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, a project spanning about 700 kilometers. While the President described the highway as a “critical artery for trade, tourism, and national integration,” many Nigerians have reacted with frustration and skepticism, questioning how long it will take to complete the entire project.
The announcement sparked widespread criticism on social media, with users highlighting that 30 kilometers represent just 4.3% of the total length. Many questioned the slow pace of construction, pointing out that at this rate, it could take decades to finish the highway.
One user commented, “If one section is 30km out of 700km, oga, you will do more than 20 commissioning before you complete 700km.” Another added, “Completing 30km out of 700km = 4.3%, which is a colossal failure.” Others sarcastically noted, “Premature ejaculation president. Every day in Nigeria a new one. So, given that what you are commissioning today is 30km, there will be at least 23 more commissioning before the final one.”
Many Nigerians accused the government of using the commissioning as propaganda, with one user saying, “Why is your life just full of propaganda?” Another bluntly stated, “This is an uncompleted project that will never be completed. More money will be allocated, yet it will be abandoned eventually.”
The slow progress has reignited concerns about Nigeria’s chronic infrastructure challenges, including delays, poor project management, and corruption. Critics warn that without transparency and accountability, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway risks becoming another abandoned project.
As Nigerians continue to express disappointment, the government faces mounting pressure to accelerate work and provide clear timelines for completion. For now, the commissioning of just 30 kilometers out of 700 has left many wondering when, or if, the full highway will ever be finished.
