General
Nigerians to Pay to Access Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway From December
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
From December 2025, motorists will begin to pay to use the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway currently under construction, the federal government has hinted.
The Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, gave this hint in a feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary.
On May 29, 2023, Mr Tinubu took over from Mr Muhammadu Buhari, and began some reforms, which have been unpopular among Nigerians because of the pains they have been made to go through.
On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister revealed that over 80 per cent of Section 1—spanning 47.47 kilometres from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and terminating at Eleko Junction—had been completed, adding that work is also progressing on Section 2, which covers 55 kilometres from Eleko Junction to the Lagos-Ogun border.
“By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. We project a 10-year return on investment. The road has solar-powered lighting and CCTV infrastructure and offers carbon credit advantages.
“It is more than a road—it is an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional growth. We have completed 30 kilometres of Section 1 and are on track to complete an additional 10 in Section 2. These are six-lane, concrete-paved highways.
“Just days ago, we flagged off Sections 3 and 3B—65 kilometres in total—covering 38 kilometres in Cross River State and 27 kilometres in Akwa Ibom. The host communities’ excitement speaks to these projects’ transformative impact,” he stated.
“God gave him the vision for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway seven years ago. Today, he is actualising that vision. These projects testify to his unwavering commitment to national development and a better future for all Nigerians,” the former Governor of Ebonyi State added.
Giving an update on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Mr Umahi explained its historic significance, noting that the route was conceived during the Shehu Shagari administration over four decades ago.
“The Trans-Saharan Trade Route dates back to colonial-era planning. President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life.”
He reaffirmed that the legacy projects are economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and forward-looking.
He also disclosed that all the governors in the Southeast region are supporting President Tinubu, urging the undecided, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, to join the train.
He said the region was witnessing a new wave of federal attention and infrastructure development under his boss.
“The Igbo man is enterprising and blessed with God-given wisdom. What Ndi Igbo seek is fairness, Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing.
“Before, when I was governor and deputy governor, one of our major concerns in Ebonyi State was the lack of federal presence. But today, nobody remembers that issue anymore. Under President Tinubu, at least four federal projects are ongoing in Ebonyi State,” he stated.
He noted that while cries of marginalisation used to dominate conversations in the South East, the current administration has made significant progress in addressing long-standing concerns about infrastructure and appointments.
“Today, the South East has a Minister of Works for the first time, and we’re seeing real projects—Port Harcourt to Enugu, Enugu to Abakaliki, Enugu to Onitsha, Onitsha to Owerri, and the Second Niger Bridge. The President has already paid 30 per cent of the cost of that bridge.
“All the governors in the South East, regardless of party affiliation, are working with the President. We’re even planning a summit to bring together all South-East leaders to endorse the President for the 2027 elections formally. We want our projects to be completed, the country’s unity to be strengthened and proper integration of Ndi Igbo,” Mr Umahi disclosed.
“Leadership is not about self—it’s about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done for your people, support him. I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr. President.
“He must be part of this summit where we will collectively endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 election. I say it boldly: the South East is happy with the President”, he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 48 properties linked to the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), have been forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.
This was after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, secured the final forfeiture of the properties, which include Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including the Rayhaan University Permanent Site, Rayhaan University Temporary Site, Rayhaan University Third Site, the Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor’s House and Rayhaan Radio along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi.
Delivering the judgment yesterday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, held that the EFCC had successfully established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired from lawful sources of income.
The court further held that the respondents merely claimed ownership of the properties without providing proof of how they acquired them with funds from lawful sources.
According to the court, non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings require respondents to adduce evidence showing the lawful sources of the funds used in acquiring the properties, and not merely make bare assertions of ownership.
On January 6, 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion moved by counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), and on May 27, 2026, the case was heard before Justice Abdulmalik, who adjourned the matter for judgment yesterday.
The other properties finally forfeited to the federal government are: a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja (File No. AN 11352); a two-winged large three-storey building situated at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited); Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building (now luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Jabi, with 53 rooms/suites); Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, comprising terraces; Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Maitama, with 15 rooms); and Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), Asokoro District.
Others are: Shop No. C52, Citiscape – Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, FCT, Abuja; No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano; Plot 157, Lamido Nasarawa GRA, Kano; a commercial plaza comprising commercial toilets, laundering facilities, warehouse tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market; 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road; and another 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.
Others are: a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi; Shops Nos. A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja; No. 26 Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja; No. 27 EFAB Estate, 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja; a four-bedroom house with two-room boys’ quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna; Plot No. 13, IPENT 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja; a bedroom duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; two warehouse shops B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja; acquisition of twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 1401, Gudu District, Abuja; and properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage, namely: nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land.
Also forfeited are the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory in Kebbi State, including the factory buildings, factory machines and plant units, factory mosque, Rayhaan Mill staff quarters, and the Rayhaan Bustan Building, Azbir Arena, Kebbi State, including Azbir Hotel, Printing Press, Gallery, Gardens, Mosque, Azbir Clothing, and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket.
Other forfeited properties include the Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi; Rayhaan Security House off Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi; an uncompleted two-storey plaza located opposite Central Motor Park (Eastern Park), Birnin Kebbi; Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd. filling station structure along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi, near Jambali Automobile Workshop; the assets of Zeennoor Hotel at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano, with 131 rooms; Zeennoor Mosque at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano; and the old Zeennoor Hotel building.
By Adedapo Adesanya
French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a state visit to Nigeria later this year in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and security cooperation between the two countries as it seeks to reset its Africa strategy more towards Anglophone Africa.
French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Marc Fonbaustier, announced the proposed visit during the celebration of France’s National Day in Abuja on Tuesday.
He described the visit as a major milestone in the growing relationship between Nigeria and France, adding that the trip is expected to take place anytime from late September to November. It would come two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris.
Mr Fonbaustier said the meeting between the two leaders would provide an opportunity to assess the progress made under the existing bilateral roadmap and define new areas of collaboration that would deliver mutual benefits for citizens of both nations.
“I am pleased and honoured to announce that, two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to Nigeria for another state visit this fall,” the ambassador said.
“Together, our two Presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come. These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples.”
The French envoy said the partnership between Nigeria and France was built on mutual respect and equality, stressing that both countries engaged with each other as partners rather than through interference or imposition. According to him, both governments remain committed to open dialogue, joint decision-making and pursuing shared interests.
He noted that Nigeria and France were working together to promote economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards while protecting the environment, biodiversity and natural resources.
The envoy pointed to recent commercial partnerships involving Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, saying they reflected expanding economic ties between both countries.
Mr Fonbaustier also praised the initiative spearheaded by Nigerian businessman, Mr Abdul Samad Rabiu, to establish a House of African Worlds in Paris, describing it as another symbol of strengthening cultural and economic relations between France and Africa.
On governance, the ambassador said both countries remained committed to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equal opportunities, adding that the French Embassy continued to support programmes focused on empowering women, young people and persons with disabilities.
He also highlighted ongoing cooperation in agriculture through the French Development Agency, particularly projects aimed at strengthening food security and improving agricultural value chains across northern Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.
Speaking on security, Mr Fonbaustier said Nigeria and France continued to work closely in tackling terrorism and strengthening regional stability, noting that both countries were supporting efforts to improve the capacity of nations confronting extremist threats across West Africa.
The ambassador further revealed that Macron’s interest in Africa was shaped by his six-month stay in Nigeria as a student more than two decades ago, saying the experience significantly influenced the French President’s vision for Africa and his approach to diplomacy on the continent.
