Tinubu Gives Fresh Order to Wike, Others: 'Disaster Greater Than Tsunami'

• On Saturday, May 21, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the first completed section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal superhighway
• At the launch event, the President of Nigeria reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to enforcing relevant urban planning regulations
• Tinubu also directed the Minister of Works, the FCT Minister and other public officials supervising projects across the nation to ensure compliance

Lekki, Lagos state - President Bola Tinubu has directed Minister of Works David Umahi, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, and other cabinet members overseeing projects across the country to ensure full compliance with the laws on training of Nigerians, local content, and technology transfer.

The Nigerian leader spoke on Saturday, May 31, during the commissioning of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and several major road projects across the country.

At the ceremony in Lagos, Tinubu reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to local content, technology transfer, and the empowerment of Nigerians as he pursues his 'renewed hope' agenda.

The President emphasised that the government would no longer compensate developers who failed to observe legal building setbacks and approvals, stressing the need for urban planning and the rule of law.

He said:

"Let me warn all the developers that the federal government will enforce setbacks. If not for anything but for the interest of the nation. Developers who fail to get approvals will not be compensated. We have gazetted and published the setback, and we will enforce it in any way possible."

The president acknowledged Engineer Ronald Chagoury's role in halting the advance of the Atlantic Ocean and salvaging Victoria Island and Ikoyi, urging more support for the future in 'doing the impossible' in building Nigeria's infrastructure.

He added:

"I said that we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi."

Furthermore, Tinubu expressed gratitude to the minister of works, contractors, and Nigerians, particularly those in Lagos state, for supporting the projects and urged them to protect and maintain them for posterity.

His words:

"It is with great pleasure, pride and a sense of fulfillment that I stand here today to commission the completed part of the Lagos - Calabar coastal highway corridor.

"This is Phase I: Section I: Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula, a section of the 700km iconic project spanning the coastal areas of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states."

Coastal road: FG pays N18b compensation

Meanwhile, Umahi noted that the federal government had spent N18 billion compensating all those affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The Minister of Works, at the launch event, disclosed that his principal directive was that all projects must consider the well-being of Nigerians and issues of sustainability.

When did Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project begin?

Construction of the Lagos-Calabar highway started in March 2024 with phase one, stretching 47.47 kilometres from Lagos. The roadway is expected to be completed in eight years and will reportedly cost N4 billion per km.

Some demolition also took place on government rights of way which had been on the books for years and should have been vacant, with portions of the path also realigned to mitigate issues discovered after construction began.

Masterplan violations expose Lagos to flooding risks - Urban planner warns

Reacting, Abdrahman Lawal, an urban planner and GIS mapping expert who contributed to the Lekki masterplan review warned that violating city masterplans poses serious risks to lives, infrastructure, and the environment.

Speaking with Legit.ng, he emphasised that masterplans are crucial for identifying high-risk zones, including floodplains, erosion zones, wetlands, unstable slopes, and poor soil areas.

“Masterplans are spatial blueprints for orderly and sustainable development. They designate zones for residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, and conservation purposes based on suitability and strategic goals,” he noted.

“In relation to the Lagos issue, buildings illegally constructed in these restricted areas are inherently vulnerable to flooding because structures on floodplains or blocking natural drainage channels will experience more frequent and severe flooding, leading to property damage, loss of life, and displacement.

Illegal buildings block emergency access - Lawal

He noted that many structures also ignore required setbacks along coastlines.

“Building too close to the coastline, in defiance of setback regulations identified through coastal vulnerability mapping, exposes structures and inhabitants to erosion and the destructive power of storm surges.”

The expert explained how illegal developments disrupt emergency access and basic infrastructure systems:

“Most Lagos developers didn’t adhere to the zoning law as stipulated in the masterplan, and these illegal structures encroached upon and completely blocked planned or existing access routes, fire hydrants, and assembly points, making it incredibly difficult for emergency services to reach affected areas during crises."

He concluded that ignoring zoning and masterplans creates wider ripple effects for urban safety and sustainability:

“Illegal and unsafe structures negatively impact the value and desirability of surrounding legally developed properties.”

Realtor cautions property seekers on high-risk areas

In response to President Bola Tinubu’s warning against illegal buildings in high-risk areas, a Lagos-based realtor, Adewole Delalu, has advised property seekers to be cautious when choosing locations, especially in erosion-prone or flood-risk zones.

Delalu, who spoke with Legit.ng, stressed the importance of guiding clients “based on their budgets” and the safety of the areas they are interested in.

He explained that beyond price and preference, safety and environmental suitability are also priorities in his line of work:

“If also a client calls to say this is where I want and I as a realtor knows that place is not good or if I don’t, I will make my findings, go there myself. If it isn’t good, I'll get back to the client.”

Coastal highway: Tinubu snubs Sanwo-Olu

Earlier, Legit.ng also reported that President Tinubu appeared to sideline Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the official inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway’s first phase, intensifying speculations of a growing rift between the two political allies.

As the leader made his way down the reception line, he greeted each official in person. However, when he reached Sanwo-Olu, the president seemingly bypassed the Lagos governor without acknowledgment, opting instead to extend his gesture towards Governor Ahmed Ododo.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from an urban planner and realtor for this report.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng