Coastal Highway Gains Global Recognition as Financier Bags International Award... Says Umahi

Tinubu's innovative infrastructure vision: "Just this week, the First Abu Dhabi Bank that participated in the funding was given an award at the ongoing IsDB Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for participating in this wonderful, innovative project of President Bola Tinubu," Umahi revealed.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's flagship infrastructure projects, has earned growing international acclaim, with a key financier receiving a prestigious global award for supporting the ambitious initiative.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection of Section Two of the highway in Epe, Lagos State, on Friday, saying the project has continued to attract admiration from international financial institutions, foreign governments and infrastructure experts because of its engineering quality and economic significance.

Umahi revealed that First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), one of the major financiers of the project, was honoured at the ongoing Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for its participation in funding the coastal highway.

According to the minister, FAB contributed $656 million to the project and was recognised for supporting what he described as President Tinubu's innovative infrastructure vision.

"Just this week, the First Abu Dhabi Bank that participated in the funding was given an award at the ongoing IsDB Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for participating in this wonderful, innovative project of President Bola Tinubu," Umahi said.

He also disclosed that Deutsche Bank, which led the financing of 70 per cent of Sections One and Two of the highway, had described the project as undervalued when compared with the quality of work being delivered.

"Deutsche Bank said that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway Project was undervalued. But the quality of the work is out of this world," he stated.

The minister noted that the project has become a reference point for infrastructure development, attracting interest from international stakeholders eager to study the engineering standards being deployed.

He said officials from other countries, including transportation authorities from California, as well as representatives of neighbouring African nations, had shown interest in inspecting the highway.

Umahi further praised HITECH Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, noting that several countries were seeking to engage the firm because of the quality of work being demonstrated on the coastal road.

The minister said the international recognition validates investor confidence in the project and underscores the Federal Government's commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure capable of stimulating economic growth and national development.

While acknowledging the right of Nigerians to critique government projects, Umahi urged critics to ensure their comments are informed by facts and a proper understanding of the issues involved.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, accountability and diligent supervision of federal projects, stressing that his stewardship is guided by faith, service to Nigerians and loyalty to the administration's development agenda.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works on Media and a copy made available to Naij News Alert in Abuja.