President Tinubu Commissions Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road, Praises Dangote-Led Infrastructure Drive

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially commissioned the 37-kilometre Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing drive to improve industrial logistics and national infrastructure. The newly completed road connects the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Plant directly to Eleko Junction in Lagos, offering a strategic transport corridor for heavy-duty industrial and maritime activities in the region.

The access road project, which was fully financed by the Dangote Group under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme, was unveiled in a high-profile ceremony attended by top government officials, industry leaders, and business moguls including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Femi Otedola, and Jim Ovia.

A Strategic Link for Nigeria’s Industrial Future

The commissioned section forms part of a larger network built by Dangote Industries Limited. It stretches beyond Eleko, passing through Epe and linking up with the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, thereby establishing a continuous industrial and commercial corridor from the Lekki Deep Sea Port deep into Southwestern Nigeria.

President Tinubu lauded the project as a shining example of effective public-private partnership under the tax credit scheme, describing it as “a landmark achievement” in Nigeria’s infrastructure journey.

“I’m delighted to be here today to commission another landmark project, the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road and the bridges,” Tinubu said.

“The quality of the work by Dangote Industries Limited and Hi-Tech Construction Company Limited is commendable. This tax credit initiative is working, and this project is evidence of that success.”

Built to Last: Reinforced Concrete for Industrial Traffic

The Lekki Access Road is designed with reinforced concrete pavement, tailored to accommodate the high volume of heavy-duty vehicles expected to ply the route daily. With the Lekki Free Trade Zone rapidly developing and the Dangote Refinery ramping up operations, the road is expected to handle massive cargo movement efficiently, reducing congestion and supporting Nigeria’s goal of becoming a regional trade hub.

The Federal Executive Council had approved ₦158 billion in tax credits in September 2024 to support the road’s development. It is just one of nine major infrastructure projects currently being executed by Dangote under the scheme—where it holds the largest portfolio ahead of other corporate participants such as BUA Group and MTN Nigeria.

Broader Infrastructure Updates from Tinubu’s Administration

While celebrating the new access road, President Tinubu used the opportunity to provide updates on broader infrastructure projects under his administration:

• Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Tinubu reported that over 10 kilometres of the ongoing Section 2 of the 65-kilometre project had been completed, with work progressing on the Cross River and Akwa Ibom stretches.

• Trans-Saharan Trade Road: Described as a “visionary” initiative, the project aims to reconnect Calabar to Abuja via Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa, expanding intra-African trade corridors.

• Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Corridor: Tinubu announced accelerated design efforts for this major route and gave firm instructions to infrastructure planners: “No more rescoping—just do the job.”

Nigeria’s Road to Economic Revival

The Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road represents more than just a piece of physical infrastructure—it is a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to unlocking its economic potential through targeted, well-funded, and efficiently executed projects.

With robust support from private sector giants like Dangote, the Tinubu administration appears focused on delivering high-impact projects that not only boost trade and connectivity but also set a new standard for infrastructure development across the country.

As Nigeria continues to seek growth through industrialisation and regional integration, such strategic investments may well be the engine driving the nation’s economic resurgence.