President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to remain patient amid ongoing economic challenges, promising that better days lie ahead.
Speaking at the inauguration of Phase 1, Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on Saturday, Tinubu acknowledged the tough times many citizens are enduring.
“I know at this stage, your expectation is still very high and our people are still going through difficult times,” he said. “I take this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians that the hope is here and it is realisable. You would be proud of the benefits… there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The 30km stretch—part of a planned 750km six-lane expressway—is expected to boost local manufacturing and reduce logistics costs.
Tinubu highlighted efforts to tackle inflation and corruption, particularly in the foreign exchange and fuel subsidy systems.
“We are reducing the cost of manufacturing and encouraging manufacturing locally,” the president added. “It is all for you, the people.”
Tinubu also issued a stern warning to property developers building without proper authorization. “Development without approval will not be compensated,” he said. “We have gazetted and published the setbacks. We are going to enforce it rigidly.”
Minister of Works, David Umahi, clarified that only encroachments on the shoreline were affected during construction, not the main Landmark property.
“What went off was their encroachment… the Supreme Court ruled that 250 metres from the shoreline belong to the Federal Government,” Umahi explained.
He also disclosed that Tinubu directed the payment of compensation for those affected along the route—even for structures that typically wouldn’t qualify. “A total of N18 billion has been paid in compensation for Phase 1,” the minister said.
The coastal highway is expected to be tolled, with state governments required to provide a 500-metre buffer from the road’s edge.
The project marks a major infrastructure step forward, but Tinubu’s message remained clear: progress will take time, and he’s asking Nigerians to stay the course.
