Tinubu’s Innovative Lagos-Calabar Project Gains Global Recognitions as Financier Bags Award — Says Umahi
By Core Reporters
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi has said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway is gaining international recognition, with one of its major financiers receiving a global award for supporting what he described as the innovative infrastructure vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during the inspection of Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway in Epe, Lagos State, on Friday, June 19, 2026, Umahi said the project has continued to draw admiration from international financial institutions, foreign governments and infrastructure experts because of its quality and strategic importance.
According to the Minister, Deutsche Bank, which led the funding of 70 percent of Sections One and Two of the project, considered the highway undervalued when measured against the quality of work being delivered.
“Deutsche Bank, which was the lead bank for the funding of 70% of Sections One and Two, said that Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway Project was undervalued. But the quality of the work is out of this world,” he stated.
Umahi said the project has become a major attraction for international stakeholders seeking to understand the engineering standards being deployed on the coastal road.
“People are coming. I’m told that the California Transport Minister is on this road today to look at it. Our neighboring countries are coming to look at the quality of the road, and they are trying to snatch HITECH from us. But we will fight. We will not agree,” he said.
Highlighting the growing international profile of the project, Umahi revealed that First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), one of the financial institutions involved in funding the highway, was honoured at the ongoing IsDB Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for its participation in the project.
“Just this week, the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) that participated in the funding was given an award at the ongoing IsDBGroup Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for participating in this wonderful, innovative project of President Bola Tinubu. Go and Google it and check it out. They participated with 656 million US dollars, and they were given an award. “This is something to rejoice about,” Umahi said.
He noted that the recognition further validates the confidence of international investors in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway and reinforces President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure capable of driving economic growth and national development.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to express differing opinions, the Minister urged critics to ensure their comments are guided by facts and a proper understanding of the project.
“When people criticize the project, they have to know that it’s their right to criticize. But criticize constructively and be sure of what you are saying. Don’t darken counsel without knowledge,” he cautioned.
Umahi also reaffirmed his commitment to accountability and diligent supervision of federal projects, stressing that his service is guided by faith in God, responsibility to the Nigerian people and loyalty to President Tinubu’s development agenda.
“I put God first in all that I do. I put the people and I put the President first, and that is the line of commitment to this job. My Bible tells me that by fear of God, men depart from evil.
“So I’m doing something in terms of supervision that tomorrow I will answer for, and also in heaven, I will answer to God Almighty.” He concluded.
