The son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Shehu Abubakar, has ignited fresh debate by accusing the administration of Bola Tinubu of prioritizing grand infrastructure projects over national security — a decision he claims is directly fueling Nigeria’s escalating insecurity. In a strongly worded appeal, Shehu urged the President to immediately suspend the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway project and redirect those funds toward strengthening the country’s security architecture.
📌 Shehu’s Warning: Security vs. Highway — Which Matters More?
In a widely shared statement over social media platforms and posts, Shehu Abubakar deplored the timing and priorities of the government:
> “The reason we have insecurity in Nigeria today is because Tinubu is constructing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Instead of adding the fund to security budget, he’s busy constructing a useless Coastal Highway...”
He urged the federal government to suspend further work on the project, insisting that the resources earmarked for the highway would be better deployed to hire security personnel, bolster police and military funding, and shore up efforts against banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and other forms of violence.
The underlying message from Shehu is clear: in a time of worsening insecurity, spending billions on a new road that many Nigerians may not use anytime soon is a misplaced priority.
⚠️ Why This View Resonates — And Its Context
1. High Cost & National Budget Pressure
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a massive undertaking: roughly 700 km long, meant to link Lagos to Calabar through nine coastal states. Estimates for the project have ranged as high as ₦15.6 trillion. Given Nigeria’s current economic challenges, critics argue that such funds could be more urgently used for social services, security, and economic stabilization.
2. Controversies Around Procurement and Ownership
The contract for the highway was awarded to Hitech Construction Company — owned by a business associate of Tinubu — sparking accusations that the project advances personal business interests. Many have criticized the lack of competitive bidding and transparency, pointing out that the pilot phase begins and ends within Lagos — specifically the axis associated with Tinubu’s business interests.
3. Partial Progress, Big Promises
So far, the federal government has commissioned only the first 30 km of the coastal highway (from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko, Lagos) — a tiny fraction of the full length. While government officials hail the project as transformative, many Nigerians remain skeptical of its immediate benefits — especially as insecurity remains a persistent crisis.
Taken together, these issues — high cost, opaque processes, and limited visible benefits — lend credence to Shehu’s argument that the project feels misaligned with Nigeria’s urgent needs.
📰 Recent Developments Surrounding the Highway (2025)
The 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains under construction, with certain states such as Akwa Ibom and Cross River targeted for upcoming segments.
Property owners in parts of Lagos affected by demolitions for the highway have formally petitioned the government, raising concerns about compensation, investor confidence, and potential capital flight.
Meanwhile, opposition figures and former high-ranking officials continue to describe the highway as a “highway to fraud,” questioning both its economic viability and the legitimacy of the contract award process.
🗣️ What Shehu’s Stand Means for the Broader Debate on Nigeria’s Priorities
Shehu Abubakar’s remarks — though triggering strong reactions among supporters and critics alike — spotlight a fundamental question confronting Nigeria today: “Should the government prioritize long-term infrastructure over immediate security and social welfare?”
Proponents of the highway argue that once completed, it could revolutionize transportation, create jobs, open up trade corridors, and boost tourism along Nigeria’s coastline. That aligns with arguments made by supporters of the project that coastal connectivity will drive growth.
Opponents, like Shehu and his allies, counter that in a climate of rising insecurity — kidnappings, insurgency, communal clashes — investment in infrastructure without first guaranteeing citizens’ safety amounts to misplaced priorities.
The debate also raises concerns about transparency and accountability in major public projects. When multi-trillion-naira projects are awarded under controversial conditions — sparse competitive bidding, ties to political figures — public trust erodes, and suspicions of corruption flourish.
✅ Conclusion: A Legitimate Alarm Bell — But Not a Final Verdict
Shehu Abubakar’s condemnation of the coastal highway project as a contributor to Nigeria’s insecurity is hard to ignore. It taps into a broader sense of frustration among many Nigerians who feel the government is out of touch with ordinary citizens’ immediate suffering. The argument resonates, especially when one considers the high costs, the sluggish rollout, and the pressing security challenges across the country.
That said — the coastal highway remains a long-term investment with the potential to transform transportation and trade should it be executed well. Whether it becomes a blessing or a burden depends on transparency, proper stakeholder engagement, and whether the government can indeed deliver on its promises without sacrificing Nigeria’s immediate security needs.
For now, Shehu’s plea underscores a critical tension in Nigeria’s development path: the push for legacy infrastructure vs. the urgent demand for security and stability.
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