Oct 13, 2026

ADC Calls Lagos-Calabar Highway Most Opaque Contract Ever

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Abuja, Nigeria—October 13, 2026—The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the contract for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the most opaque ever awarded in Nigeria’s history.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi criticized the manner in which the multi-trillion-naira project was awarded, arguing that it failed to meet basic standards of transparency and due process.

Criticism of the Procurement Process

Abdullahi said the award of the massive infrastructure contract raised serious questions about competitive bidding, value for money, and accountability.

The project, spanning approximately 700 kilometres along Nigeria’s coastline, has been one of the most ambitious and controversial undertakings of the current administration.

Opposition figures have repeatedly questioned the decision to award significant sections of the highway to Hitech Construction Company through a special or restrictive procurement process rather than open competitive tendering.

They have also raised concerns about the overall cost, changes to the route alignment, and the lack of publicly available detailed contract documents.

Government’s Position

The Federal Government, through Minister of Works David Umahi, has previously defended the project. Umahi has maintained that the procurement method used was legal, citing the technical complexity of building a concrete highway in a coastal environment and Hitech’s previous experience handling coastal erosion challenges in Lagos.

He has also insisted that President Bola Tinubu did not personally direct the award of the contract to any particular company.

Ongoing Controversy

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains a major political flashpoint. Critics, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have demanded the publication of full contract documents, payment records, feasibility studies, and any related borrowing plans.

Supporters of the project argue that it is a critical economic corridor that will boost trade, tourism and connectivity between the South-West and South-South regions.

As work continues on sections of the highway, the ADC’s latest intervention keeps the debate over transparency and accountability firmly in the public domain ahead of the 2027 general elections.