Tensions flared on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Tuesday morning as the Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, engaged in a heated exchange with anchor Rufai Oseni over the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project.

During the interview, Oseni accused Umahi of reporting him to President Bola Tinubu over his comments on the road project. The minister, visibly frustrated, rejected the claim and asserted his expertise in engineering.

“I’m a professor in this field,” Umahi said, explaining that his professorship is based on professional experience rather than formal academic appointment. “You don’t understand what you are talking about. Keep quiet.”

Umahi added sharply, “You are too small for me to report to the President. Stop making baseless claims about me reporting you.”

In response, Oseni maintained his composure, stating, “Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself and let the world know who you truly are.”

The exchange underscored the sometimes tense relationship between public officials and the media, especially regarding large-scale infrastructure projects.