By Suad Ayinla
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was designed to improve transportation, connect communities along Nigeria’s coastline and provide an alternative route for motorists in Lagos. But as more people begin to use sections of the road, concerns about safety are becoming harder to ignore. What was meant to represent progress in road infrastructure is now raising questions about whether motorists and other road users are adequately protected.
The concerns became more serious after the Federal Government warned that the Lagos section of the highway could be shut if motorists continue to disregard safety rules. Officials have raised concerns about excessive speeding, with some motorists reportedly driving far above the 30km/h limit in areas where construction is still ongoing. The combination of high speeds and an unfinished road have created an environment where a simple mistake could have serious consequences.
Speeding is not the only challenge. Illegal U-turns, roadside trading, motorcycles and tricycles, as well as trucks and trailers parked along parts of the route, have also raised safety concerns. The removal of road signs, protective fencing and manhole covers has added another layer of danger. These facilities may appear insignificant to some road users, but they are essential for guiding motorists and protecting people from hazards.
Another major concern is that the highway is still under construction. While some completed sections are open to traffic, construction activities continue in other areas. This means motorists are sharing the road with construction workers, equipment and unfinished sections
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has the potential to become an important part of Nigeria’s transport network, but infrastructure alone does not make a road safe. Drivers have a responsibility to obey speed limits and traffic rules, while authorities must ensure that signs, barriers and other safety measures remain in place and that dangerous behaviour is properly controlled. As construction continues, the real measure of the highway’s success should not only be how quickly people can travel, but whether they can make the journey safely. If a road is built to make movement easier, should safety not be the first thing that determines how successfully it is being used?
