“Lagos-Calabar Highway Project is Wasteful and Corrupt” – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as both wasteful and riddled with corruption. In chapter six of his newly released book *Nigeria: Past and Future*, Obasanjo accused the Bola Tinubu administration of mismanaging national priorities, citing the N15.6 trillion cost of the 700km highway as unjustifiable. He also slammed the N21 billion allocated for a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it a conduit for looting public funds.

The project, awarded to Hitech Construction Company, a firm linked to Gilbert Chagoury—widely believed to be a close associate of President Tinubu—has faced criticism for bypassing competitive bidding. Minister of Works, David Umahi, had disclosed that the road would cost N4.93 billion per kilometre, with about N1.06 trillion already released for the pilot phase stretching from Eko Atlantic to Lekki Deep Sea Port.

Obasanjo used the occasion of his 88th birthday, during which he unveiled two new books, to assess the Tinubu administration’s two years in office. He alleged that corruption and self-enrichment remain entrenched, saying, “Everything is said to be transactional and the slogan is ‘It is my turn to chop.’”

According to him, many of Nigeria’s leaders, from local government chairmen to presidents, are self-serving and unprepared for public office. He accused some governors of clearing billions in personal debts shortly after taking office without any clear business activity, implying embezzlement of state resources. Obasanjo described how such individuals typically divert state funds for personal gain while silencing potential whistleblowers with minor rewards.

He reserved some of his harshest words for leaders who manipulate facts and conceal details about contracts, borrowings, and asset sales. Obasanjo branded such officials as “criminally ridiculous” and unfit for leadership.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s broader governance challenges, the former president questioned the effectiveness of Western liberal democracy in the African context. He proposed a homegrown model of governance that he termed “Afrodemocracy,” which he said would align more closely with African history, values, and culture. According to him, this system could pave the way for a new African people’s constitution, offering a more functional alternative to the Western model.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga declined to comment on Obasanjo’s statements when contacted.