Adegboruwa Urges Tinubu to Review Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Realignment

• Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun Adegboruwa, has called for President Bola Tinubu to review the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway realignment.
• The reported route change diverts the highway away from coastal communities in Ondo and Delta States.
• Adegboruwa warned that this realignment could undermine the project's original development objectives.
• His statement, issued on October 12, 2026, urged President Tinubu to "Call Umahi To Order."
• The Senior Advocate argued that no special status of the Lagos coastline justifies excluding other coastal regions.

Adegboruwa's statement underscored a critical warning: such a realignment could fundamentally compromise the original developmental objectives envisioned for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun Adegboruwa, has formally urged President Bola Tinubu to conduct an immediate review of the reported adjustments to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway's planned route. Adegboruwa's appeal, made public through a statement issued on October 12, 2026, highlights significant concerns regarding the project's trajectory. The core of his apprehension stems from information suggesting the highway's path has been re-routed away from coastal communities situated in Ondo and Delta States, potentially altering the original scope of the ambitious infrastructure initiative.

The prominent legal figure's communication specifically called for President Tinubu to intervene and address the matter, as indicated by the statement's title which included a direct request for the President to "Call Umahi To Order." This intervention is sought to ensure that the monumental infrastructure initiative remains aligned with its foundational goals of comprehensive coastal development. The alleged Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route change has sparked considerable debate among stakeholders, prompting Adegboruwa's public call for presidential oversight and a re-evaluation of the project's current direction.

Adegboruwa's statement underscored a critical warning: such a realignment could fundamentally compromise the original developmental objectives envisioned for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. The Senior Advocate argued that there is no inherent superiority in the Lagos coastline compared to those of Ondo and Delta, implying that the re-routing lacks a justifiable basis related to coastal characteristics or equitable regional development. This perspective suggests that the project's initial design likely aimed for balanced connectivity and economic integration across various coastal regions, rather than concentrating benefits in one area.

The potential undermining of these objectives raises significant questions about the project's long-term benefits and its adherence to principles of inclusive growth and national infrastructure project concerns. Lawyers monitoring the ongoing debate surrounding the Adegboruwa Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway realignment should consider the implications for potential legal challenges. The reported route change could lead to public interest litigation concerning land use rights, environmental impact assessments, and the equitable distribution of infrastructure benefits, particularly for the affected Ondo Delta coastal communities development. Such legal scrutiny would focus on ensuring the project's compliance with established planning and environmental regulations.

The reported Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route change carries substantial implications for the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria's coastal regions, particularly for the communities in Ondo and Delta states. By diverting the highway from these specific coastal communities, the project risks excluding these areas from the direct economic and developmental advantages that such a major infrastructure artery is designed to provide, including improved access to markets, tourism, and industrial growth. This exclusion could exacerbate existing regional disparities, running contrary to the broad vision of national infrastructure projects aimed at fostering widespread prosperity.

The call from Ebun Adegboruwa SAN statement emphasizes the critical importance of transparent and accountable decision-making in large-scale public works. Ensuring that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway realignment serves the broader public good, rather than potentially favoring specific regions or interests, is crucial for maintaining public trust and achieving sustainable development across the entire coastal stretch. The ongoing concerns highlight the urgent need for a thorough review to ensure the project's integrity, its adherence to original objectives, and its intended positive impact on all targeted coastal communities, thereby mitigating future legal and social challenges.

Lawyers should monitor the ongoing debate and potential legal challenges surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway's realignment, particularly concerning its impact on affected communities in Ondo and Delta states, and advise clients on potential land use, environmental, or public interest litigation implications.

Source: Original reporting via TheNigeriaLawyer