Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the federal government’s decision to toll major roads, saying it’s the only way to maintain the new infrastructure being delivered under President Tinubu’s $1 trillion economic vision.
At the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Umahi stated that past roads failed because they were built without sustainable maintenance plans. “This is the first time a President is building roads meant to last over 50 years,” he said.
He explained that under the new PPP model — the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) — tolling ensures private sector investment and long-term upkeep.
“Road users must contribute to preserve quality. We can’t rely solely on federal budgets. Tolling is how developed countries do it — and so must we,” Umahi insisted.
Accorfing to him, nationwide stakeholder engagements will begin in June to prepare the public for the rollout.