The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to introduce tolls on federal roads, calling it “another outrageous and toxic policy” that will exacerbate the economic hardships Nigerians are already facing.
In a statement issued on February 9, 2025, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, expressed the group’s firm opposition to the tolling initiative, which was launched on the 227.2km Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road corridor. This tolling policy is part of the government’s plan to repay a $460.8 million loan from the China Exim Bank used for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the road.
Minister of Works David Umahi, represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, officially inaugurated the toll operations. Umahi emphasized that the tolling system was essential for maintaining federal roads through sustainable funding and was part of the loan agreement with the China Exim Bank, with toll revenue primarily earmarked for repaying the loan.
“We proudly launch toll operations today, starting with the Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road, and we plan to extend this tolling model to other federal highways,” Umahi stated, also mentioning the Highway Development and Maintenance Initiative (HDMI).
However, HURIWA rejected the government’s justification, calling the tolling policy an additional burden on Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs. The group pointed out the significant economic challenges citizens have faced since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, which saw fuel prices surge from N190 to over N1,000 per liter, leading to inflation across the country.
