- The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is said to be missing from the 2025 budget, raising questions about funding and possible impact on other infrastructure projects
- The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project had been expected to be funded through a PPP arrangement, but its omission from the budget has left many wondering about its future
- BudgIT warns that the omission could lead to funds being reallocated from other crucial projects, potentially undermining the budget’s credibility and effectiveness
There is growing concern over the omission of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road from the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The project, which has been a cornerstone of President Tinubu’s infrastructure plans and has sparked significant debate since its inception last year, was expected to cost approximately N16 trillion.
The project's omission from the budget has raised questions about its funding. Initially, the federal government indicated that it would be financed through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
In February 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a N1.07 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the project, which includes a 47.47-kilometre dual carriageway with five lanes on each side and a train track running down the middle.
In his statement, Minister for Works and Housing, David Umahi, clarified that the FEC had approved the procurement of the project under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) model in favour of High Tech Construction African Limited. He further revealed that efforts had been made to secure funding, although challenges persisted.
Umahi noted that the ministry had approached President Tinubu for additional support, requesting that the federal government fund the first phase of the project, which runs from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos to the Lekki Deep Seaport. The President approved this request, and the procurement of the first 47.47-kilometre section was successfully secured under a contract valued at N1.067 trillion.
Despite these developments, the source of funding for the project remains unclear, as it was notably absent from the 2025 budget proposal. This omission has led to further concerns, particularly as the Federal Ministry of Works received a total capital allocation of N1.07 trillion in the budget, which raises the possibility that funds for the coastal road may need to be reallocated from other critical infrastructure projects.
BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation known for its work in promoting transparency in public finance, has raised alarm over the omission. In a statement released via its X handle, BudgIT warned that the absence of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road from the budget could result in a reallocation of funds from other important projects, potentially undermining the integrity of the budget and hindering its effectiveness.
BudgIT’s Communications Associate, Nancy Odimegwu, expressed concern, stating, “This omission implies that if funding for this project materialises, it will likely necessitate reallocating funds from other critical projects, potentially hindering their implementation and impacting the budget’s credibility.”
The organisation also criticised aspects of the 2025 budget, particularly the lack of detailed breakdowns for some ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). BudgIT noted that in previous years, the National Assembly had inserted numerous projects into the budget, often without proper planning or alignment with the country’s long-term development priorities.
In 2021, for instance, 5,601 capital projects were added during the National Assembly’s review of the Appropriation Bill. This figure rose to 6,462 in 2022 and a staggering 7,447 in 2024, amounting to N2.24 trillion in additional costs.
While the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to modify the executive’s proposed budget, BudgIT emphasised that such modifications often distort the original intent of the budget and undermine its long-term effectiveness.
The organisation called for greater responsibility from lawmakers to ensure that the national budget serves the country’s development goals, rather than being shaped by short-term or narrow interests.
Ahead of the budget review, BudgIT urged lawmakers to prioritise the national interest, ensuring that the approved budget stimulates economic activity, fosters macroeconomic stability, and promotes equitable development across Nigeria.
The group also stressed the need for the budget to address the needs of the country’s most vulnerable populations, particularly in terms of poverty alleviation and social equity.
Tinubu’s 2025 Budget: At least 10 ministries get over N1 trillion each
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the budget proposal for 2025 revealed significant increases of over N1 trillion each to more than 10 ministries, with the Finance Ministry receiving the highest share.
The Power Ministry saw a 510.46% increase; reaching N2.1 trillion, N2.52 trillion for Education and N2.23 trillion for Niger Delta.
