Governor Seyi Makinde Blasts Works Minister Dave Umahi Over Lagos-Calabar Highway Cost Controversy

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has publicly criticized the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, urging him to “stop dancing around the cost” of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a viral video making rounds on Friday, Makinde accused the minister of failing to provide transparency on the true cost of the multi-billion-naira project, which has drawn nationwide scrutiny over its funding, execution, and potential environmental impact.

“There’s no need for the Minister of Works to be dancing around the cost,” Makinde said pointedly, echoing public frustration over the government’s reluctance to release a detailed financial breakdown of the 700km coastal highway.

The governor’s comments come days after a heated live confrontation between Umahi and Arise TV host Rufai Oseni, where the minister dodged several direct questions about the project’s valuation. Umahi had repeatedly argued that “the project is transparent” and “funded through creative means,” but refused to disclose the full figures, citing “ongoing phases.”

Makinde’s statement adds a powerful political voice to the growing chorus of Nigerians demanding accountability and openness on one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the country’s history.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, stretching through multiple coastal states, is expected to ease transport congestion, boost tourism, and stimulate economic growth along Nigeria’s southern corridor. However, critics argue that the lack of transparency, environmental concerns, and alleged contract favoritism—especially the award of the project to Hitech Construction, a company linked to billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, a known ally of Tinubu—raise serious red flags.

Social media reactions to Makinde’s remarks have been mixed. Some users praised the governor for “speaking truth to power” and demanding accountability, while others accused him of politicizing an already tense issue.

As debates intensify, Nigerians await a formal statement from the Federal Ministry of Works detailing the project’s actual cost, funding model, and timeline — an explanation that may determine whether this highway becomes a symbol of progress or another chapter in Nigeria’s long story of opaque megaprojects.

Watch the video below