Akin Olaoye, a businessman, has commended the federal government for the Lagos-Calabar coastal road despite being a victim of the demolitions that trailed the project.
Olaoye’s retail store for eyewear, which was located within the Landmark beachfront, was destroyed by the federal government in 2024 during the commencement of the coastal road project.
The businessman had said he received no compensation from the federal government.
In an X post on Sunday, Olaoye said he drove along the Lagos-Calabar coastal road for the first time “after carrying serious resentment” towards the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The businessman said he stopped to take a picture at the spot where his demolished store was once located, adding that he had paid a “price for the sake of national progress”.
“I stopped to take a picture at the exact spot where one of my biz locations used to be, Landmark, and I must say, ‘change is inevitable, ‘” he wrote.
“I, too, paid a price for the sake of national progress. I was wrong on this one. Kudos to the presidency for delivering this transformative project. Hon. Minister Dave Umahi, oga, me, and you still get small beef sha!”
Other sections of the coastal road projects are currently under construction.
In 2024, the federal government commenced the construction of the 700-kilometre coastal highway project, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.
The project had generated plenty of controversy. Concerns were raised over funding and the businesses that will be impacted during construction.
Several businesses and homes were marked for demolition. The affected homeowners and business personnel vehemently opposed the project.
The popular Landmark Beach and other businesses within the beach area were affected by the demolition.
In December 2025, the federal government temporarily opened a 47-kilometre section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway for vehicular movement.
The section runs from the Ahmadu Bello Way junction in Victoria Island to the Eleko junction in Lagos state.
