Diaspora Investors Appeal to Tinubu Over Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway Dispute

Diaspora-backed investors have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing dispute surrounding the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, citing concerns over land acquisition procedures and the potential loss of billions of naira in investments.

Engr. Stella Okengwu, a leading diaspora investor and Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, said parts of the project’s current alignment threaten to encroach on legally acquired properties developed with diaspora funding. According to her, the development affected about 400 plots within an 18.8-hectare estate in Okun-Ajah, Lagos, valued at over ₦60 billion.

The Federal High Court in Lagos is currently presiding over a case filed by the Foreign Investors Network of Nigeria challenging the alleged encroachment. The court has directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit, emphasizing the need for due process and legal clarity.

Okengwu urged the Federal Government to ensure transparent engagement with private stakeholders and to preserve investor confidence in the country’s infrastructure initiatives. She stressed that the diaspora-backed project was conceived in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to attract foreign investment and boost tourism.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, has reiterated its commitment to balancing national development with the protection of private interests. The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed that the government secured a $747 million syndicated loan to fund the first phase of the coastal highway, which will connect Lagos to Cross River State through key coastal communities.

The Lagos State Government has also suspended all planning approvals along the project corridor to align the highway’s design with existing urban plans in the Lekki and Ibeju-Lekki areas.

Observers warn that unresolved property disputes and compensation issues could threaten investor confidence and delay project delivery. However, both federal and state authorities maintain that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway remains a priority infrastructure expected to boost tourism, trade, and inter-regional connectivity once completed.