The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the federal government’s plan to introduce tolls on major highways, describing it as essential for maintaining the new infrastructure being developed under President Tinubu’s $1 trillion economic agenda.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Umahi noted that many previous road projects failed due to the absence of sustainable maintenance strategies. “This is the first time a President is constructing roads designed to last more than 50 years,” he said.
He explained that under the new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework — the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), tolling will enable private sector investment and ensure long-term road maintenance.
“Road users must play a role in preserving road quality. We cannot depend solely on federal funding. Tolling is the global standard — and it should be ours too,” Umahi emphasized.
He added that nationwide stakeholder consultations will begin in June to prepare the public for the implementation.
