The federal government formally commenced toll operations on the Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road corridor to repay the $460.8 million loan acquired from China Exim Bank for the road’s restoration and upgrade.
It also announced that motorists utilising the roadway will have to pay tolls ranging from N500 for saloon cars to N1,600 for multi-axles.
To make their activities easier, police and military vehicles are exempt from tolls.
The toll gates along the route are divided into four sections: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi.
The 227.2 km road was rehabilitated and upgraded with a preferential credit loan from China Exim Bank. The previous administration secured a $460.8 million loan from the bank, which covered 85 percent of the project’s $542 million total cost.
As part of the loan arrangement, the federal government agreed to toll the road upon completion, with toll earnings used to repay the debt.
Speaking at the official inauguration of toll operations at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, Minister of Works David Umahi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure the correct maintenance of Nigeria’s federal roadways through long-term funding methods.
Umahi, represented by Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo, stated that the road was rehabilitated and upgraded through a preferential credit loan from the China Exim Bank.
He also stated that funds generated from tolls would be used for the maintenance of federal roads nationwide and that toll operations would help sustain road networks across the country.
He explained that in 2023, the previous administration signed a 25-year “Operate and Maintain” concession arrangement with Messrs. China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited, in collaboration with Messrs. Catamaran Nigeria Limited.
He said, “It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as we officially launch toll operations on our federal roads, beginning with the 227.2 km Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road corridor.
“As you are aware, this road corridor is a vital infrastructure route in Nigeria, serving as a key highway for economic and social activities in the central and northern regions of the country.
“It is crucial for Nigeria’s economic, social, and strategic development, serving as an essential artery for trade, mobility, and national security while contributing to infrastructure growth, urbanisation, and national cohesion.
“It is worth recalling that the federal government rehabilitated and upgraded the road through a preferential credit loan from the China Exim Bank.
“Toll operations mark a pivotal step towards achieving our vision for a more efficient, sustainable, and well-maintained road transport system.
“Today, we embark on a journey to ensure that our infrastructure is preserved for the benefit of present and future generations. The collection of tolls will generate much-needed revenue for road maintenance and expansion.”
The minister noted that the initiative corresponds with the priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to construct a resilient and linked infrastructure network.
“It is important to state that the Toll Order/Fee Schedule has been gazetted as follows: saloon cars will be tolled at N500, SUVs/jeeps at N800, minibuses at N1,000, and multi-axle vehicles at N1,600.
“However, frequent road users, such as commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highway Act, will enjoy a 50 percent discount,” he added.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, praised the President for completing the road and urged Nigerians to cooperate for its success. Tricycles, pedal vehicles, motorcycles, and other two- or three-wheeled transport modes primarily used by disadvantaged populations will be exempt from tolls.Folorunsho Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, stressed the importance of roads and their effective administration.
Adebiyi remarked that less than 1% of Nigerians travel by plane.
He said, “In Nigeria today, we have four major modes of transport: air, rail, water, and road.
“The most accessible, affordable, and realistic means of transport remains the road. Air travel is faster and preferable for those who value time, but the reality is that less than one percent of Nigerians travel by air.”
He further emphasised the need to generate sufficient revenue for effective road maintenance.
“When you examine the statistics, domestic air travel in Nigeria records about 13 million passengers annually, with approximately 12 million travelling internationally. However, when adjusted to exclude duplicate names, the actual number drops to less than 250,000.
“This is why our roads appear extremely stressed. As traffic volume increases daily, the average load on our roads also rises,” he stated.
