Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an independent review of the reported realignment of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, warning that the changes could deny coastal communities in Ondo and Delta states access to the economic benefits of the project.
Adegboruwa made the appeal in an open letter dated October 12, 2026, titled “Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Time for President Tinubu to Call Umahi to Order.” The letter was signed in Lagos and addressed to the President.
The lawyer called on the Federal Government to ensure that any changes to the highway’s route do not defeat its original purpose of connecting communities and economic centres along Nigeria’s Atlantic coastline.
The controversy followed reports that the government planned to divert sections of the highway through the existing East-West Road from Ondo State into Edo State instead of building a new road along the affected coastal stretch.
Adegboruwa said the proposed change raised serious concerns for communities that depend on fishing, farming, waterways, tourism and other coastal economic activities for their livelihoods.
He specifically mentioned the Ilaje communities in Ondo State and coastal settlements in Delta, warning that bypassing these areas could prevent residents and businesses from benefiting fully from the multibillion-naira project.
Describing the reported realignment as “nothing short of sabotage,” the SAN expressed concern that communities expecting improved transport links could be left out of the opportunities the highway was designed to create.
However, the Federal Government has cited difficult terrain, poor subsoil conditions, construction costs and flood resilience as factors behind the changes. Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has also said Tinubu directed that the highway should follow the existing East-West Road through the affected area rather than take a new coastal route.
While acknowledging the need to consider engineering challenges, Adegboruwa insisted that alternative routes should be assessed transparently, with proper attention to their long-term economic, environmental and social effects.
He argued that the success of the highway should not be measured simply by the length of road constructed but by how effectively it connects communities, promotes maritime trade, supports tourism and attracts investment.
According to him, leaving coastal settlements without direct access to the highway could limit opportunities for farmers, fishers, transport operators, local businesses and investors.
Adegboruwa called for a comparative assessment of the original and revised routes, covering construction and maintenance costs, travel time, job creation, environmental impact and the distribution of economic benefits among the affected states.
He also urged the government to explore engineering options that could preserve coastal connectivity where feasible without compromising road safety, durability or value for money.
On environmental concerns, the lawyer said the project’s planning must take into account coastal erosion, flooding, wetlands, mangrove ecosystems, fisheries and the effects of climate change.
He called for the publication of relevant technical and environmental assessments and consultations with affected communities before major changes to the route are finalised.
The SAN further urged the Federal Government to ensure that the project promotes balanced regional development rather than concentrating economic opportunities in areas directly served by the main highway.
As part of his recommendations, Adegboruwa asked Tinubu to order an independent technical review, publish the approved route and the reasons for the changes, and consult the Ondo and Delta state governments, traditional rulers, community representatives, engineers and environmental experts.
He also proposed retaining or restoring viable sections of the original coastal route where technically, environmentally and economically possible. Where communities cannot be connected directly to the main highway, he recommended complementary access roads and supporting infrastructure.
Adegboruwa stressed that his appeal was not intended to dismiss engineering realities but to ensure that technical considerations were balanced against the project’s wider development goals and the interests of affected communities.
He maintained that the highway should ultimately promote national integration, economic growth, environmental sustainability and improved livelihoods for people along the coastal corridor.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government’s major road projects, designed to improve transport links along Nigeria’s southern coastline. Debate over its alignment has continued to raise questions about transparency, connectivity and the benefits that coastal communities stand to gain.
Adegboruwa urged Tinubu to intervene before irreversible decisions are taken, insisting that the concerns of communities in Ondo and Delta states must be properly considered.
