By Onu Okorie

Nigeria‘s Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway is drawing growing international attention and recognition, with one of its major financiers receiving a prestigious global award for its role in funding the ambitious infrastructure project, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has revealed.

Umahi made the disclosure on Friday during an inspection of Section Two of the highway in Epe, Lagos State, telling journalists that First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) was honoured at the ongoing Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings 2026, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, for its contribution to the project.

“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. “They participated with 656 million US dollars, and they were given an award. This is something to rejoice about.”

The minister 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 relative to the exceptional quality of work being delivered on the ground.

“Deutsche Bank said that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway Project was undervalued. But the quality of the work is out of this world,” he said.

Beyond financial recognition, the highway is attracting a stream of foreign visitors keen to study the engineering standards being applied along the coastal corridor. Umahi revealed that the California Transport Minister was among those who visited the site on Friday, while delegations from neighbouring African countries had also toured the project — with some allegedly attempting to poach HITECH, the construction firm executing the road.

“Our neighbouring countries are coming to look at the quality of the road, and they are trying to snatch HITECH from us. But we will fight. We will not agree,” Umahi said defiantly.

The minister framed the international recognition as a validation of the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure and urged critics of the project to engage constructively and responsibly.

“When people criticize the project, they have to know that it’s their right to criticize. But criticize constructively and be sure of what you are saying. Don’t darken counsel without knowledge,” he cautioned.

Umahi also spoke on his personal approach to oversight, emphasising transparency and accountability, and grounding his commitment to the project in his religious faith.

“I put God first in all that I do. I put the people and I put the President first, and that is the line of commitment to this job,” he said. “I’m doing something in terms of supervision that tomorrow I will answer for, and also in heaven, I will answer to God Almighty.”

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway remains one of the most high-profile infrastructure undertakings of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. When completed, the highway is expected to dramatically improve connectivity along Nigeria’s coastline, stimulate trade and unlock economic opportunities across the corridor stretching from Lagos to Calabar.