The Federal Government has inaugurated toll operations on the Abuja–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road corridor as part of a strategy to repay a $460.8 million loan from China Exim Bank.
Motorists traveling along this 227.2km route will now face toll fees ranging from N500 for saloon cars to N1,600 for multi-axle vehicles, while police and military vehicles are exempt to ensure smooth operational mobility.
The toll system, divided into four sections—Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi—is a direct outcome of a 25-year “Operate and Maintain” concession agreement executed by the previous administration.
Minister of Works David Umahi, speaking at the commissioning ceremony at Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, explained that toll revenues will be earmarked primarily for loan repayment and for the ongoing maintenance of Nigeria’s federal roads.
Umahi highlighted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at creating sustainable funding for critical infrastructure. He also noted that commercial light vehicles would receive a 50% discount on toll fees, ensuring affordability for frequent road users.
The project is expected to improve road conditions and enhance connectivity across central and northern Nigeria, bolstering economic and social activities in the region.