As I write this on February 10, 2026, I have been taking the Coastal Road for about two weeks. It has become my default route since reconstruction works commenced on the Lekki-Epe Road. The Coastal Road is a beautiful road. It is well constructed, even though so much is still going on.
Driving on the road at night gives you some semblance of hope that we can get it right as a nation, especially when you see the solar lights making the road well illuminated.
From Ogombo Road to VI is just about 18 minutes (barring slight traffic at some intersections). I love the views on both sides. At some point, you view the Atlantic Ocean at a stretch. Just imagine if we have at least four roads like that every four years. Or is that too much to ask? Having tasted this road, I am not sure I will go back to Lekki-Epe Expressway unless I have something important to do there.
An 18-minute drive can change your perspective. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road made me think about infrastructure, population growth, and the culture of maintenance. We must build with tomorrow in mind. Share on XI fully support the idea of tolling the road to ensure proper maintenance. Good infrastructure requires sustainable funding. If tolling guarantees that the road remains in excellent condition, then it is a reasonable and practical approach.
Beyond that, I believe the road layout should include proper shoulders for ambulances and emergency vehicles, as well as rest stops and basic facilities. These additions would not only enhance convenience but also improve safety and overall user experience.
I have followed the various debates and controversies surrounding the project. However, meaningful progress often comes with difficult trade-offs. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs. What matters most is that we continue to improve, learn, and build better.
That said, we must also think ahead. The Coastal Road may soon struggle to accommodate the growing traffic along that axis. With barely three lanes on each side, it already feels limited for an area experiencing rapid development. I think there shouldn’t have been less than six lanes on either side.
We need to develop a culture of building for tomorrow, not just for today. With Nigeria’s expected population boom, planning infrastructure without considering future demand can lead to the same challenges we are currently trying to solve. The Coastal Road should never become another Lekki-Epe Expressway.
It is also immediately expedient that law and order should be enforced on that road. Traffic violations should be dealt with. Okadas have almost turned the Coastal Road into a nightmare as they face ‘one-way’. Many people have also taken to sleeping along parts of the road, and some ‘boys’ hang out at various points on the road.
We often complain about what isn’t working. But when something works, we should pause and reflect. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is a step forward. Now the real question is: how do we keep it that way? Share on XThese trends, if not addressed early, could gradually erode the safety and appeal of the road. That road needs to be kept safe at all hours. Infrastructure does not end with construction; we must also pay attention to maintenance, regulation, and responsible use by everyone.
There is room for improvement but the Coastal Road is a great step taken. May Nigeria win.