The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to impose tolls on federal roads, labeling it as “another outrageous and toxic policy” that will further burden Nigerians already struggling with economic hardships.
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In a statement released on February 9, 2025, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, expressed the group’s opposition to the tolling initiative, which was officially launched on the 227.2km Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road corridor. The tolling system is part of the government’s plan to repay a $460.8 million loan obtained from the China Exim Bank for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the road.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, inaugurated the toll operations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining federal roads through sustainable funding mechanisms. Umahi explained that the tolling policy was a condition of the loan agreement with the China Exim Bank, with revenue generated from tolls primarily earmarked for loan repayment.
“It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today as we officially launch toll operations on our federal roads, beginning with the Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road corridor,” Umahi stated. He added that the government plans to extend the tolling model to other federal highways under the Highway Development and Maintenance Initiative (HDMI).
HURIWA, however, rejected the government’s rationale, describing the tolling policy as a means of exploiting Nigerians already grappling with rising costs of living. The group highlighted the economic challenges faced by citizens since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, which led to a sharp increase in fuel prices from N190 to over N1,000 per litre, triggering inflationary pressures across the country.
“This government continues to pile economic hardship on Nigerians through unjustifiable hikes in essential services. We have seen increases in fuel prices, electricity tariffs, telecommunication charges, and now an impending road toll policy,” HURIWA stated.
The rights group accused the government of prioritizing the enrichment of political allies and contractors over the welfare of citizens. “This tolling policy is nothing but another means of enriching political cronies at the expense of ordinary Nigerians,” Onwubiko asserted.
HURIWA emphasized that the tolling policy would disproportionately affect low-income earners, including business owners, market traders, farmers, and artisans, who rely on public transportation for their daily livelihoods. The group questioned the timing and rationale of the policy, noting that it would further strain Nigerians already facing high transportation costs due to poor road conditions and soaring fuel prices.
“Why impose road tolls when most Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet? This policy is ill-timed and ill-advised,” HURIWA stated.
HURIWA urged the Federal Government to suspend the tolling policy and explore alternative funding mechanisms for road maintenance. The group suggested that the government could address revenue leakages, recover stolen funds, and allocate a portion of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and excess crude earnings to road maintenance and debt repayment.
“Instead of taxing citizens, the government should focus on recovering stolen funds and blocking financial leakages in the Ministry of Works,” Onwubiko said.
HURIWA called on civil society organizations, labour unions, and transport associations to resist the tolling policy, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for further economic exploitation. The group also appealed to the National Assembly to intervene and halt the implementation of the policy, describing it as unjust and detrimental to the welfare of Nigerians.
The Federal Government has announced the following toll fees for the Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road:
- Saloon cars – N500
- Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and Jeeps – N800
- Minibuses – N1,000
- Multi-axle vehicles – N1,600
Frequent users, such as commercial light vehicles, will receive a 50% discount, while tricycles, motorcycles, and other two- or three-wheeled vehicles will be exempt from toll charges.
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