The Federal Government has announced its intention to review and possibly revoke development approvals granted for properties encroaching on federal highway setbacks, particularly along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road corridor.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the reconstructed access road to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, President Bola Tinubu called for stricter enforcement of planning regulations and better intergovernmental coordination on infrastructure projects. He emphasized that unregulated land reclamation and unauthorized structures along strategic infrastructure routes pose a risk to long-term development goals.
“I have directed the Minister of Works to collaborate with the Surveyor General and state governments to ensure that future planning decisions safeguard the integrity of national infrastructure,” the president said. “We are serious about protecting these corridors, and any existing permits that conflict with our national priorities will be revisited.”
The president underscored the importance of infrastructure as a vehicle for economic growth, regional integration, and job creation. He highlighted ongoing projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Route as key components of his administration’s national development strategy.
Industrialist Aliko Dangote, speaking at the same event, revealed that the Dangote Group is currently investing over ₦900 billion in road infrastructure projects spanning 500 kilometers across Nigeria. He credited the government’s economic reforms and the Naira-for-crude policy for stabilizing costs and promoting local production.
“Our investments reflect confidence in the administration’s vision,” Dangote said. “We support the Nigeria First policy, which prioritizes domestic capacity and reduces dependency on imports.”
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also commended the president’s reforms, noting that increased federal allocations have enabled states to pursue people-centered development projects. “No administration has empowered sub-nationals like this one,” he stated.
BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu added that the firm is building over 500 kilometers of road infrastructure under the government’s tax credit scheme, including the 132km Kano-Tambola corridor. “These projects will strengthen regional trade, especially in the North-West, and help close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap,” Rabiu said.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the port and its supporting roads as transformational, projecting that the facility could generate over $200 billion in revenue and create more than 169,000 jobs over its operational lifespan.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, praised the strategic role of the new port access road, calling it a turning point in Nigeria’s emergence as a maritime hub. He reiterated the need for urgent attention to other critical infrastructure like the Onne Port access road to fully integrate the country’s logistics network.
President Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to responsible urban development and infrastructure expansion, urging all stakeholders to collaborate in safeguarding national assets and unlocking long-term economic value.
