FG to Construct Africa’s First Underwater Tunnel in Badagry
…Tunnel to link Victoria Island to Sokoto–Badagry Expressway
Nigeria is set to make history with the construction of Africa’s first underwater tunnel, a 2.9-kilometre engineering feat designed to ease Lagos traffic and improve national connectivity.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the project on Wednesday during an inspection tour in Lagos. He explained that the tunnel will run from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, through Snake Island, and extend towards Badagry, linking the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway with the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway.
“Our tunnel is inside the ground. It’s going to be 2.9 kilometres long, and when completed, it will be the first underwater tunnel in Africa,” Umahi said.
🚧 Funding Model: PPP, Not Borrowing
The Minister clarified that the Federal Government would not borrow to fund the project but would instead adopt a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Lands around Snake Island and Badagry will be leveraged under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.
“Before people start shouting that we want to borrow, let me make it clear — we have land at Snake Island and Badagry. We intend to use these lands under PPP to fund this project,” he added.
🌍 Broader Connectivity Goals
According to Umahi, the tunnel is part of the administration’s grand vision to link the northern Sokoto–Badagry corridor with the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, thereby boosting trade, mobility, and regional development.
🛠️ Local Contractors to Benefit
Umahi also used the occasion to restate the government’s procurement policy, which bars foreign firms from bidding for contracts below ₦20 billion. Such projects, he stressed, will be reserved for Nigerian contractors.
“Expatriate firms will no longer handle jobs below ₦20 billion. Nigerian contractors are capable of handling multi-billion naira projects,” he declared.
⚠️ Warning on Road Standards
The Minister further warned contractors against leaving binder courses exposed for too long, noting this practice weakens roads and leads to premature failure. Contractors found wanting, he said, will be sanctioned with negative certificates and possible recovery of funds.
If completed as planned, the Badagry tunnel will not only mark Nigeria’s debut in underwater infrastructure but also set a record for the first of its kind in Africa — blending innovation with connectivity.
