The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the temporary use of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos following a serious truck accident at the Chisco area of Lekki on Monday. The accident caused heavy traffic congestion across the area, leaving many motorists stranded for hours.
According to a statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the approval came from the Federal Ministry of Works, allowing the highway to open temporarily to ease traffic until normal flow is restored along the affected route.
The statement, signed by Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, urged road users to remain calm and patient while plying the area.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation wishes to inform motorists that due to a truck accident at Chisco area, Lekki, the Federal Ministry of Works has approved the opening of the Coastal Road for use pending when normalcy is restored. Motorists are implored to be patient while plying the area,” the statement read in part.
With this decision, motorists can now use the completed section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within Lagos to ease movement and reduce congestion. The temporary access is part of emergency measures to improve traffic management following the accident.
Details About the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, designed to link Lagos with Calabar in Cross River State. Within Lagos, the project has two key sections.
Section 1 spans 47.7 kilometers, from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village in the Lekki Peninsula. It was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on May 31, 2025, though some parts were still under construction. The section costs ₦1.068 trillion, with 30% of the contract sum already released as of August 2025.
Section 2, still under construction, stretches from the Lekki Deep Seaport to the Dangote Refinery. Valued at ₦1.6 trillion, it features multiple flyovers and passes through swampy terrain to ensure stability and long-term durability.
Temporary Access and Future Plans
Officials confirmed that no tolling will occur during this temporary opening. However, under the long-term plan, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be tolled for five to ten years to recover part of the construction cost.
By granting temporary access, the Federal Government aims to relieve pressure on existing roads and provide an alternative route for motorists affected by the Lekki accident. The move also allows drivers to identify and navigate the completed portions of the highway safely.
Transportation authorities assured that efforts are ongoing to clear the accident scene and fully restore traffic on the main route.
