Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the politics of cynicism, by Tony Ogbetere

In a country desperately in need of critical infrastructure and long-term development, one would think that a project as ambitious and strategic as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway would attract universal applause. But not in Nigeria — not in the current climate of chronic fault-finding and endless cynicism.

From the moment the Tinubu administration unveiled the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway — a bold and visionary project to connect Nigeria’s commercial capital to the oil-rich but often neglected southern corridor — some Nigerians have made it their full-time job to find fault with every step of the initiative.

First, they questioned the rationale: “Why build a highway along the coast?” they asked. “Who needs it?” They ignored the obvious — that such a highway will open up vast stretches of underdeveloped land, unlock tourism potential, ease logistics along the Gulf of Guinea, and provide millions of jobs both directly and indirectly.

Then, they doubted its feasibility: “It will never be built,” they scoffed. “This is another political gimmick.” Yet, in less than a year, 700 kilometres of coastal ambition became a tangible reality, with the commissioning of the first 30 kilometres — not on paper, but on the ground.

Now that the project is visibly taking shape, they’ve turned their skepticism to the commissioning itself. “Why are they celebrating 30km? What’s the big deal?” It seems progress is a problem when it doesn’t fit their preferred political narrative.

But here’s the truth: You cannot build 700 kilometres in a day. You must start somewhere. And that “somewhere” — this first 30km — is not just concrete and tar. It’s momentum. It’s proof of concept. It’s a signal that the government is serious.

The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is not just about a road; it’s about national integration, economic decentralization, and breaking the Lagos dependency bottleneck. It’s about creating alternate corridors that relieve pressure on overused routes and stimulating regional growth along Nigeria’s neglected coastline.

Constructive criticism is healthy in any democracy. But criticism for its own sake is a symptom of deeper disillusionment — or in some cases, blind partisanship.

If you oppose a project, let your opposition be based on facts, not frustration. If you are skeptical, let your skepticism be grounded in logic, not bitterness. If you must critique, offer alternatives, not just noise.

Nigeria has spent decades stuck in the mud of abandoned projects, half-baked policies, and wasted opportunities. Now that a government is attempting to think beyond its tenure, to start something that may outlast its time in office, let us not sabotage progress simply because it wasn’t “our person” who started it.

Let the government be held accountable — yes. But let’s not scorn progress because we didn’t vote for it. Our country is bigger than any one president or party.

Let the road be built. Let the coast connect. Let Nigeria move forward — and let the fault-finders try a new project: nation-building.