Kings across Nigeria hail President over ‘massive’ seven-state super-highway, call it the ‘biggest single project’ in the nation’s history
By SCM Staff Writer I Tuesday, October 14, 2025
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s most influential Traditional Rulers have given a massive thumbs-up to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over two key development projects—a seven-state Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and a new Yoruba Culture Centre.
A delegation of rulers from all six of Nigeria’s geo-political zones, in Lagos for a high-powered meeting, took a tour of the two sites and declared them a triumph for the country’s economy and heritage.
The Ooni of Ife, HRM, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 1, who led the tour, was quick to heap praise on the President.
”We are happy… we are convinced there’s progress in Nigeria,” the Ooni declared. He described the Coastal Road as “massive,” saying it will have a hugely positive impact on the nation’s economic growth.
’Biggest Single Project’
The coastal super-highway is designed to link seven states, a fact the Ooni highlighted as a major benefit.
”It is a landmark project and the biggest single in the history of our country,” he added. “We will continue to pray for the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu. It is a very laudable project.”
The Etsu Nupe, Alh Dr Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, admitted he had only read about the ambitious scheme in the papers before seeing it in person.
”We are on the ground to see what we have read in the papers and watched on television. This is a gigantic project by the federal government,” he said.
Another ruler, Iqwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka Il, Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, was equally impressed by the project, which even includes a reserved space for a future rail line.
”This is massive and I am so impressed,” he said. “President Tinubu is going to put his name in the sands of time.”
Culture Corner
The Royal approval wasn’t just for the massive infrastructure project. Governor Sanwo-Olu also earned high praise for preserving the rich Yoruba heritage.
The rulers commended him for the reconstruction of the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture in Marina, which they toured before hitting the coastal road.
Meanwhile, some of the Kings urged the President to ensure the project is finished on time and to spread the wealth to other regions.
King Bubaraye Dakolo, of Bayelsa State, urged Tinubu to “commence the Bayelsa segment because Bayelsa has the widest longest coastline.”
And the Emir Mai-Tikau of Yobe State called on the President to “replicate the project all over the nation.”
The paramount ruler of Mobaland, Oba, Dr, Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo, gave the final word on the road’s massive economic potential.
”Anywhere you see water in the world, there is progress and a boost economy,” he noted. “It will ease movement of goods, improve production and increase the value of our currency.”
