Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to publish the contract documents, payment records and financing arrangements for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway following changes to sections of the project’s proposed route.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The former vice-president said the reported route adjustments had raised questions about the original contract, payments already made to contractors and the financial implications of the revised alignment.
He also expressed concern over reports that the Federal Government might seek additional borrowing of up to $20 billion, allegedly linked to the highway project, and urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to clarify whether such a loan request was being prepared.
“Publish the proposed loan, the contract it would finance and the record of what has already been paid. If no such request exists, say so plainly and on the record,” Atiku said.
He called on the government to release the original feasibility and environmental studies, route maps, Bills of Quantities, contract variations, Bureau of Public Procurement approvals, payment certificates and any borrowing proposals connected to the project.
Atiku argued that if sections of the original route would no longer be constructed as planned, the government should explain what had been removed from the contract, how much had already been paid and what the revised project cost would be.
He also urged the National Assembly to organise a public hearing before considering any additional financing for the highway, insisting that lawmakers and Nigerians should have access to the relevant contractual and financial records.
The ADC chieftain linked his concerns to the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians already facing increased living costs should not be exposed to additional debt without transparent accounting of public infrastructure spending.
Atiku further alleged that some lawmakers were being pressured to approve the anticipated borrowing request, claiming that their election campaign funding could be withheld if they failed to support it. However, the statement did not provide independently verifiable evidence establishing the alleged threats.
The controversy follows comments by Minister of Works David Umahi, who clarified on Monday that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had not been abandoned.
Umahi said President Tinubu had directed the use of the existing East-West Road corridor for the affected stretch from Ondo State towards Edo State, while the government would also reconstruct the existing road to address its condition, including flooding challenges around the Ughelli axis in Delta State.
The minister maintained that the additional East-West Road reconstruction should not be interpreted as a replacement for the planned 750-kilometre dualised Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The competing statements have brought renewed attention to the project's design, procurement process and financing. However, the government's clarification and Atiku's demands do not, on their own, establish that the route adjustment has resulted in additional costs or that the reported $20 billion loan request has been formally submitted.
Atiku insisted that the government should disclose the relevant records and subject any additional borrowing to public scrutiny before asking Nigerians to shoulder further financial obligations.
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