The Nigerian Government has unveiled plans to construct a 2.9-kilometre underwater tunnel in Lagos, a project that would mark the first of its kind in Africa.
The initiative is designed to enhance connectivity between the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto–Badagry corridor as well as reduce traffic and improve transportation.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the project during an inspection tour of key infrastructure sites in Lagos.
According to him, the tunnel will connect Ahmadu Bello Way to Snake Island, with an extension toward Badagry.
The project is expected to be delivered under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. Umahi explained that land resources around Snake Island and Badagry will be leveraged to finance the development through a Build-Operate-Transfer model.
“We have land at Snake Island and by Badagry. We hope to use this land under PPP to fund the project, under Build, Operate, and Transfer,” he stated.
Strategic Importance
Experts say the proposed underwater tunnel, if successfully executed, could significantly transform Nigeria’s transportation landscape and position the country as a leader in large-scale infrastructure development on the continent. They note that the project has the potential to ease congestion in Nigeria’s commercial capital, improve logistics efficiency, and boost economic activities by providing a faster and more reliable link between major commercial corridors.
However, analysts have also cautioned that the success of the project will depend on thorough feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, transparent financing arrangements, and sustained political commitment. They stress that careful planning and adherence to global engineering and safety standards will be crucial to ensure the tunnel’s long-term viability and to maximise its economic and social benefits for Nigerians.
The tunnel is part of the Nigerian Government’s broader transport vision to ease traffic on existing Lagos bridges and integrate coastal and inland trade corridors.
By linking the Lagos–Calabar highway with the Sokoto–Badagry route, the project is expected to improve logistics, reduce congestion, and create new investment opportunities in surrounding communities.
For Nigeria’s business and real estate sectors, the infrastructure could open new growth nodes in Snake Island, Badagry, and adjoining corridors. Improved accessibility is likely to attract industrial development, tourism investments, and residential expansion.
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Major Underwater Tunnels in London
TRAVEL RADIO LIVE reports that the first underwater tunnel in the United Kingdom was the Thames Tunnel in London. Constructed beneath the River Thames by Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the tunnel was completed in 1843. It was the world’s first successful tunnel built under a navigable river and represented a major breakthrough in civil engineering.
The UK also has several underwater tunnels, including historic and modern engineering feats such as the Blackwall and Dartford tunnels, and several rail and Tube crossings that connect key parts of the capital beneath the river. Beyond London, other notable underwater tunnels include the Mersey Railway Tunnel, the Severn Tunnel linking England and Wales, and the Medway Tunnel in Kent, all of which play vital roles in regional and national transport networks.
Collectively, these tunnels reflect the UK’s long tradition of civil engineering innovation, dating back to the 19th century and continuing into the modern era.
They support the daily movement of millions of people, goods, and essential services, while also accommodating critical utilities such as electricity and communications infrastructure.
