Rufai Oseni, Umahi Clash on Live TV Over Coastal Highway Cost
There was a heated exchange on Tuesday morning between Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, and the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, during a live interview over the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
The drama unfolded after Oseni accused the minister of “reporting him” to President Bola Tinubu following their previous on-air disagreement over the cost of the project.
“You will allow me a right of reply because it’s obvious you came for me today, my very good minister friend, after you went to report me to the President,” Oseni said.
“I have empirical evidence.
The world watched when you mentioned the questions I asked you to the President. That was you reporting me officially.”
Umahi, visibly taken aback, replied dismissively:
“You? Who are you? The country is too small for me to report you to the President.”
The confrontation escalated as Oseni pressed for transparency on the cost per kilometre of the 750-kilometre coastal highway, the additional 100 kilometres recently approved, and details about the ₦700 billion loan reportedly obtained for the project.
“All we’re asking is for the government to disclose the cost per kilometre. Nigerians have a right to know,” Oseni insisted.
Umahi, however, maintained that it was impossible to provide a specific cost at this stage, explaining that the new section of the project had yet to be designed or subjected to soil testing.
“This man makes me laugh at his level of ignorance,” the minister fired back.
“The 100 kilometres have not been designed. There’s no soil report yet. So, asking for a cost per kilometre is like naming a child that’s still in the mother’s womb. Every kilometre differs in cost what you can have is an average, not an exact figure.”
The minister also addressed ongoing litigation concerning property demolitions linked to the highway construction, stating that the 39 property owners affected had been compensated following proper valuation, including some shanties, “on the directive of the President.”
He further alleged that one of the plaintiffs, a woman representing supposed diaspora investors, acted “without valid registration,” adding that he had considered involving the EFCC, DSS, Police, and even Interpol in the matter but chose to let the investors handle it.
Despite attempts by the programme’s co-anchor to restore order, the exchange between Umahi and Oseni continued, with both men interrupting each other repeatedly.
The face-off has since drawn wide reactions across social media, with Nigerians divided over whether Oseni overstepped his bounds as a journalist or whether Umahi failed to show transparency and decorum expected of a public official.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 750 kilometres and divided into multiple phases, remains one of the Federal Government’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
While the Ministry of Works insists it will transform transportation and tourism along Nigeria’s southern corridor, critics continue to raise questions about cost, displacement, and environmental impact.
