Why we’re tolling Nigerian Roads – Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the decision to toll federal roads across Nigeria, citing the need for sustainable funding and maintenance.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Umahi stated:
The road tolling initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy and boosting local content.
Tolling is embedded in the contracts for federal road construction and is critical for sustainability.
Umahi criticized past road projects, noting that previous roads didn’t last and lacked maintenance planning.
He highlighted the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI)—a public-private partnership (PPP) model aimed at both constructing and maintaining roads.
