A new dispute has surfaced over reported flooding along parts of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, drawing reactions from political figures and reigniting debate over the project’s resilience.
The controversy began after former lawmaker Dino Melaye shared a brief 15-second clip on X (formerly Twitter), showing a section of the highway submerged in water, with vehicles carefully navigating the flooded stretch. The footage sparked concerns about the durability of the multi-billion-naira infrastructure.
Responding in a strongly worded open letter made available to journalists on Tuesday, Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, rejected the criticism and defended President Bola Tinubu.
He argued that the flooding captured in the video was a natural occurrence linked to Lagos’ terrain rather than a flaw in construction.
“Dear Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye,” Omokri wrote, “Thank you for raising this observation. However, please note that Lagos Island is one of the few places in Africa that is either at or below sea level.
As such, and even more so because of climate change, the island will experience regular flooding.”
He emphasised that the situation should not be blamed on the quality of the coastal highway or government performance.
“This phenomenon has nothing to do with the quality of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway or any supposed failure of President Tinubu. It is happening as a result of a fact of nature,” he stated.
Drawing comparisons with global examples, Omokri pointed to the Netherlands, noting that even countries with advanced infrastructure experience similar challenges.
“The Netherlands is an industrialised and developed European country. But despite their technological advancement, many of their roads are flooded annually, worse than what you are mocking Lagos for.
Please fact-check me: On multiple occasions this year alone, the Dutch government announced temporary road closures due to flooding,” he added.
He further maintained that engineers working on the project had already anticipated such conditions and incorporated measures to manage flooding.
“I have been on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and listened to the engineers and technical staff as they gave a briefing on the road.
It is built to anticipate flooding and mitigate its effects. Give it some hours after the rainfall, and the floods will gradually dissipate,” he said.
Expanding on the broader issue, Omokri noted that flooding has long been a feature of Lagos, especially in coastal and island areas where land elevation is low.
He cited factors such as heavy seasonal rainfall, inadequate drainage, rising sea levels, and rapid urban expansion as contributors to recurring inundation.
He also referenced past government interventions, including drainage upgrades, lagoon dredging, and coastal protection efforts.
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According to him, one of the most notable achievements during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos governor was the reclamation project that led to the creation of Eko Atlantic City.
“Rather than mock President Tinubu over this issue, which is normal for low-lying islands, all Nigerians should be proud that, despite this hazard, President Tinubu, as Governor of Lagos, was able to reclaim land from the sea by sand filling an area the size of Manhattan in New York.
“That 10 million square metres of reclaimed land, now known as Eko Atlantic City, is presently the most expensive real estate in Sub-Saharan Africa and is worth $6bn in 2026, an amount greater than the GDP of all but ten Nigerian states.”
He added that additional flood-control strategies introduced during Tinubu’s administration, including mobile barriers and dredging of the Lagos Lagoon, had played a role in shielding the state from severe coastal threats.
“You may also recall that it was this same Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who, as Governor, introduced mobile flood barriers and the dredging of the Lagos Lagoon, which, according to international environmental groups, is credited with saving much of Lagos from being submerged by the sea, as has recently occurred in Indonesia, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Argentina.
“Rather than mock such a man, who could add $6bn to the GDP of Nigeria with just one idea, I think every reasonable person should be proud that we have such an asset at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, which may explain why the IMF listed Nigeria as the sixth largest contributor to global GDP growth in 2025, a fact celebrated by Elon Musk, the world’s richest man.
“I do hope these facts will give you a new perspective on the issue of Lagos. Thanks again, and may God bless you,” he concluded.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship federal project, is planned to stretch across Nigeria’s southern coastline, linking Lagos with Cross River State.
It is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and connectivity while unlocking economic opportunities along coastal regions.
Despite its projected benefits, the project has faced ongoing scrutiny since its inception, including concerns over environmental impact, cost, and now its ability to withstand flooding.
Experts note that coastal highways around the world commonly face flooding risks, particularly in low-lying areas exposed to heavy rainfall and tidal surges.
They explain that such infrastructure is typically designed with features like drainage systems, elevated road sections, and erosion control to manage water flow effectively.
As work continues, the highway’s performance under Nigeria’s changing climate conditions is expected to remain a focal point for both the public and industry observers.