“You Spent ₦14 Trillion on 700km Coastal Highway Project, But Can’t Give Simple Account, Yet You Want Nigerians to Pay More Taxes from 2026” — N6 Nwabasili Slams Umahi

“You Spent ₦14 Trillion on 700km Coastal Highway Project, But Can’t Give Simple Account, Yet You Want Nigerians to Pay More Taxes from 2026” — N6 Nwabasili Slams Umahi

 

Broadcaster, rapper and political analyst, Nnamdi Nwabasili, popularly known as N6, has criticised the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over his continued refusal to provide full financial details of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, reportedly valued at ₦14 trillion.

 

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), N6 questioned why the Minister, who has repeatedly avoided disclosing the full cost breakdown of the 700km project, was comfortable with plans by the federal government to introduce more taxes on Nigerians starting from 2026.

 

“You can’t give a simple account, yet you want Nigerians to pay more taxes from 2026?” N6 wrote, reacting to Umahi’s recent statements defending the project.

The controversy over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has intensified in recent months, following public outcry about its lack of transparency, award process, and cost per kilometre, which critics claim could reach ₦4 billion.

 

Earlier, Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni had confronted Umahi during an appearance on The Morning Show, asking for a detailed cost breakdown of the initial 30km stretch already inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu. Umahi, however, refused to give specifics, stating only that the contract was awarded to Hitech Construction without an open bidding process.

 

During the project’s inauguration, Umahi referenced Oseni’s earlier criticism, urging President Tinubu to “ignore the naysayers” and approve more funds for the road’s continuation. In response, the President advised the Minister to “shut his ears” to his critics.

 

N6’s remarks have since amplified public debate over accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s mega projects, especially at a time when the government is considering new tax measures to boost revenue.

 

Observers say the controversy underscores growing concerns about how major infrastructure contracts are handled, particularly those awarded without competitive bidding or clear financial disclosures.

 

While the Works Ministry maintains that the project will transform Nigeria’s coastal economy, public critics like N6 insist that “transformation without transparency” only deepens public mistrust in government spending.