Atiku Says He Has Been Vindicated on Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway Cost

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he has been vindicated over his earlier claims that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway was overpriced.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the recent disclosure by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, confirms his initial warning that the project cost was inflated to around ₦8 billion per kilometre.

Atiku recalled that when he first raised the alarm, Umahi dismissed his claims, insisting the cost was about ₦4 billion per kilometre. However, the minister’s latest admission, Atiku said, proves that the project’s pricing lacks transparency.

The former presidential candidate accused the Tinubu administration of concealing vital details about the project, including its funding sources and cost structure. He said the government’s explanation that only 15 to 30 percent of the total $11 billion cost would be covered by the federal budget raises more questions than answers.

Atiku asked the government to reveal who the real financiers are, the nature of any sovereign guarantees involved, and why the project’s cost suddenly doubled.

He maintained that this development shows why public projects should undergo open competitive bidding and transparent scrutiny.

“Nigerians deserve openness, not contradictions and concealed deals,” Atiku said, insisting that his earlier position on the highway’s inflated cost has now been confirmed by the government itself.