Ogun’s 28km coastal highway stretch ready this year as deep sea port gets major boost
Ogun State Governor Announces Completion Timeline for Coastal Highway
Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun stated that the 28-kilometer segment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which runs through Ogun State, is on track for completion by the end of 2026. He emphasized that this significant infrastructure project is set to enhance the proposed Ogun Deep Sea Port and attract strategic investments along the state’s coastline.
During the commissioning of the reconstructed Gao-Ibiade Road in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, Abiodun underscored the highway’s potential to drive industrialization and maritime development, unlocking economic opportunities for the region.
Governor Abiodun praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his role in starting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing it as a visionary initiative that could foster trade, investment, tourism, and regional connectivity across Nigeria. He noted that he has received confirmation from project officials that the Ogun section of the highway will be completed by the end of the year.
The governor explained that his administration has strategically positioned the highway to support the Ogun Deep Sea Port, ensuring it runs within three to five kilometers of the coastline. He acknowledged that the lack of an effective evacuation corridor had hindered development of the Deep Sea Port, as the previous access route was the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, located approximately 35 kilometers away from the coast.
“With the coastal road now just a few kilometers from the coastline, there is renewed interest in building a port in Ogun Waterside,” Abiodun said. He added that improved road connectivity has increased investor confidence in the area, positioning Ogun Waterside as an attractive site for major maritime and industrial projects.
Further, he disclosed that negotiations with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) are progressing to revive the long-dormant Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) project. The NNPC has also intensified oil exploration efforts to identify commercial reserves in the region.
Abiodun asserted that the combination of the coastal highway, the proposed Deep Sea Port, ongoing oil exploration, and the revived OKLNG project will establish Ogun Waterside as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economic corridors, creating thousands of jobs and boosting the state’s revenue.
“The Ogun State Deep Sea Port will become a reality in Ogun Waterside and is set to be the premier port in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the governor promised. He also outlined plans to establish a naval base and dockyard within the port complex to enhance maritime security and support commercial shipping.
Reflecting on the region’s history, Abiodun expressed concern over decades of neglect despite its significant economic potential, recalling his visits in the 1990s when the area lacked essential infrastructure. His administration is focused on transforming Ogun Waterside through sustained investments in critical infrastructure.
As part of this infrastructure initiative, the governor announced that reconstruction of the J4-Gao Road will begin shortly, and efforts will be made to rehabilitate the remaining section linking that route to Abigi, the local government headquarters.
Abiodun reiterated his commitment to equitable development across Ogun State, emphasizing that infrastructure projects have been implemented in all 20 local government areas in line with his administration’s goal of balanced growth.
