A heated exchange occurred during a live broadcast of Arise Television’s Morning Show when the Minister of Works, David Umahi, appeared for an interview on Tuesday morning. The interview, which was expected to focus on ongoing national infrastructure projects, quickly turned tense after Umahi clashed with one of the program’s anchors, Rufai Oseni.
The disagreement began when Rufai questioned the Minister’s claims and accused him of allegedly reporting him to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his comments regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. Umahi, visibly irritated, dismissed the accusation and berated Rufai for making what he described as baseless allegations.
“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field, you don’t understand anything,” Umahi snapped during the heated exchange. His comment drew visible surprise from Rufai, who asked the Minister to clarify when and where he obtained his professorship.
In response, Umahi explained that his title was based on his extensive years of experience in the field of engineering rather than from a traditional academic institution. He then added sharply, “You are too small for me to report to the President. Stop saying I reported you to the President; you’re too small.”
Despite attempts by other hosts to calm the situation, the argument escalated further. Umahi insisted that Rufai lacked the technical understanding to question him about engineering projects, saying, “I understand engineering very well. You have no knowledge of what you ask.”
Rufai, maintaining his composure, responded, “Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself and let the world know who you truly are,” before the interview moved on to the next segment.
Debate Over Coastal Highway Project
The tension between Umahi and Rufai was sparked by ongoing debates surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship infrastructure initiative under President Tinubu’s administration. The 700-kilometer highway aims to connect Lagos to Calabar and improve transportation along Nigeria’s coastline.
Construction began in March 2024, and the road is being built with reinforced concrete to handle the unstable coastal terrain, which includes swamps and marshland. However, critics have questioned the project’s transparency, cost, and prioritization.
Several opposition figures and civic groups argue that the funds allocated to the project could be redirected to other sectors and regions that are in greater need of development. They claim that the project may become another financial burden if not managed properly and transparently.
Umahi, however, has consistently defended the project, describing it as one of the most significant steps toward national integration, tourism development, and economic growth in Nigeria’s history.
Despite the ongoing criticism, the federal government maintains that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road will be completed in phases, ensuring both durability and long-term value to the nation’s infrastructure network.