By Usman Ishaq Shehu
PhD Candidate | Editor in Chief, J.O.Comms | Public Affairs Analyst and Strategic Communicator

Yesterday I made a write up to fact check the transparency of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the distribution of infrastructure projects across Nigeria. One part that sparked strong reactions was the reference to the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway and the projected ₦15 trillion cost attached to it.

Let me now clarify that point, and also balance the conversation by showing what has been committed to the Northern part of the country under this administration.

Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway: A Phased Commitment

Yes, the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway has an estimated total cost of over ₦15 trillion, but that figure is the long term projection, not the amount already approved.

Here is the factual breakdown.
Only ₦1.06 trillion has been approved so far for Phase 1, which covers Lagos to Lekki to Eleko Junction, a stretch of 47.47 kilometers.
When we include coastal protection and related technical works, the total committed so far is slightly above ₦1.5 trillion.

So, contrary to speculation, the government has not approved ₦15 trillion at once. The project is structured in phases, and subject to yearly budgetary review and private sector funding, where necessary.

What Has Been Committed to Northern Nigeria

Now to the North, an equally vital region in national planning. The Tinubu administration has committed substantial resources to infrastructure and economic renewal in the North, with spending already exceeding ₦2 trillion in the first year alone, and more budgeted moving forward.

Some key areas include:

Abuja Kaduna Zaria Kano Expressway
Ongoing reconstruction, with committed federal funding and a timeline for completion.

Kano Katsina Jibia Maradi Rail Line Phase II
Strategically important for trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic, attracting foreign investment.

Housing Projects
Under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates initiative, housing developments are underway in Kano, Borno, Gombe, and Sokoto, with combined investments crossing ₦200 billion.

Road dualization and repairs across Bauchi, Niger, and Yobe States
Part of the ₦3 trillion national capital budget for 2024.

Mambilla Hydropower Project
The administration has re engaged key stakeholders, reaffirming its intention to deliver this long delayed energy project for the Northeast.

What Does This Tell Us

The Lagos Calabar Highway does not signal favoritism. The South gets coastal infrastructure. The North is receiving massive road, rail, housing, and power investment, all tied to economic renewal.

President Tinubu’s style is deliberate, phased, and inclusive. Every region has a share, and where necessary, higher financial commitments are made due to terrain, scope, or urgency. No zone is being ignored.

Conclusion

We must avoid the temptation to pit one region against another. Infrastructure must be viewed through the lens of national growth, unity, and strategic development, not regional rivalry.

Let the facts speak clearly.
₦1.5 trillion has been committed to the Lagos Calabar Highway so far.
Over ₦2 trillion has already gone into critical Northern projects, with more to come.
This is what balanced leadership looks like.