Nigeria Toll Roads Complete Guide: Federal Tolling, Rates & Payment 2026
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Nigeria Toll Roads Complete Guide 2026
System: Federal highway tolling relaunched (Feb 2025) via 25-year PPP concessions; Lagos state tolls suspended since 2020
Operators: Federal Ministry of Works (HDMI concessionaires), Lekki Concession Company (LCC), FAAN
Currency: Nigerian Naira (₦ / NGN)
Coverage: Keffi–Makurdi corridor (live); Lagos-Ibadan, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano (upcoming); Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (planned on completion)
Technology: Manual booths + digital/paperless payment systems; electronic tags at LCC plazas
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Nigeria? 2026 Update
Federal highway tolling has returned — but only on one corridor so far. After a 22-year hiatus since President Obasanjo dismantled all federal toll gates in 2003, the Federal Government officially relaunched toll collection in February 2025, starting with the 227.2 km Abuja–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi (Keffi-Makurdi) corridor. This is now an active toll road. All other major federal highways are still toll-free pending completion of their ongoing reconstruction under the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase I.
Key Reality: Nigeria is in a rapid transition. The Tinubu administration has structured nine highway corridors as 25-year PPP concessions — the concessionaire builds, operates and maintains the road in exchange for toll revenue. As each corridor completes reconstruction, tolling begins. The Keffi-Makurdi highway is first; the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, and Abuja-Kano highway follow. The Lagos state Lekki Concession Company (LCC) plazas remain suspended since the October 2020 End SARS protests with no confirmed reopening date.
January 2026 Update: Works Minister Dave Umahi confirmed during an inspection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that the 750 km flagship project will be tolled immediately upon commissioning — targeted for Section One inauguration by President Tinubu by end of April 2026. The ₦3,000-per-toll-gate rate has been widely cited for this corridor.
Nigeria Toll Rates: Gazetted & Planned (2026)
The Federal Government gazetted the official toll fee schedule for the HDMI Phase I corridors when it launched operations on the Keffi-Makurdi road in February 2025. These rates apply to all nine corridors under the HDMI framework as they come online. Commercial light vehicles receive a 50% discount; motorcycles, tricycles, pedal vehicles, military and diplomatic vehicles are fully exempt.
HDMI Phase I Gazetted Rates — Active at Keffi-Makurdi (2026)
| Vehicle Class | Rate per Toll Gate (₦) | Commercial Discount Rate (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon Cars | ₦ 500 | ₦ 250 | Standard private cars |
| SUVs / Jeeps | ₦ 800 | ₦ 400 | Sport utility vehicles |
| Minibuses | ₦ 1,000 | ₦ 500 | Buses / minivans |
| Articulated / Multi-Axle Vehicles | ₦ 1,600 | ₦ 800 | Trucks, trailers, heavy freight |
| Motorcycles / Tricycles / Bicycles | EXEMPT | — | Full exemption |
| Military / Diplomatic / Paramilitary | EXEMPT | — | Full exemption |
Source: Federal Ministry of Works gazette, February 2025. Applies to all HDMI Phase I corridors. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway may carry a separate rate schedule (~₦3,000 per gate has been widely cited).
Estimated Journey Costs by Route (2026)
| Route | Distance | Saloon Car Total (₦) | Toll Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abuja–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi (Keffi-Makurdi) | 227.2 km | ₦ 1,500–2,000 (multiple gates) | LIVE — Feb 2025 |
| Lagos–Ibadan Expressway | 127.6 km | ₦ 1,500 est. (3 gates: Lagos, Ogere, Ibadan) | Pending reconstruction completion |
| Second Niger Bridge (Onitsha–Asaba) | ~2 km bridge + approach | ₦ 500 est. | Nearing completion; tolling imminent |
| Abuja–Kano Highway | ~350 km | ₦ 2,000–3,000 est. | Post-reconstruction |
| Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway | ~750 km | ₦ 3,000 per gate (widely cited) | Section 1: Apr 2026 inauguration targeted |
| Makurdi–9th Mile (Enugu) | ~180 km | ₦ 1,000–1,500 est. | Under development |
| Lekki–Epe Expressway (Lagos State) | 49.5 km | — | SUSPENDED since Oct 2020 |
How to Pay Nigeria Tolls
Payment methods vary by corridor, reflecting the transitional state of Nigeria's tolling infrastructure.
1. Cash at Manned Toll Booths — Keffi-Makurdi Corridor (Current):
- Manual cash payment in Naira at staffed booths — the primary method active on the Keffi-Makurdi road today
- Operated by China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Ltd in partnership with Katamaran Nigeria Ltd under a 25-year "Operate and Maintain" concession
- The Federal Ministry of Works is actively developing paperless/digital payment options for future corridors in coordination with the Ministry of Finance
2. Digital / Paperless Payment (Planned for Expanded HDMI Corridors):
- The government has committed to cashless/digital payment integration for the broader HDMI rollout
- Bank transfers, mobile money and electronic point-of-sale are expected to supplement or replace cash at new corridors
- Government has stated a goal of minimising or eliminating cash handling at new plazas
3. LCC Swiftpass eTag — Lekki Corridors (When Reopened):
- The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) operates Swiftpass RFID electronic tags (e-Tags) usable across all LCC plazas (Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge)
- 10% initial discount at registration; up to 50% discount based on usage frequency
- LCC Mobile App available on Google Play and App Store for account management
- Customer helpline: 0800 22 555 22 / 0808 816 5576
- Note: Lekki plazas remain suspended as of 2026; the eTag system will apply when they reopen
4. FAAN Airport Road Toll:
- The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) independently collects a toll from motorists using airport access roads — this is separate from the federal highway HDMI system and has remained operational throughout the federal toll hiatus
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Nigeria's highways, use the TollGuru Nigeria toll calculator:
Recent Changes & Key Developments (2026)
January 2026 — Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Tolling Confirmed:
- Works Minister Umahi confirmed on 10 January 2026 during an inspection tour that the 750 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be tolled immediately upon commissioning by concessionaire Hitech Construction Company Ltd
- Section One inauguration by President Tinubu targeted by end of April 2026; ~50% of Section Two also expected to be commissioned simultaneously
- Toll rate widely cited at ₦3,000 per gate; official tariff schedule not yet gazetted at time of writing
- Financed by a $747 million syndicated facility from Deutsche Bank for Section One; tolling designed to service the loan and fund long-term operations
February 2025 — Federal Highway Tolling Relaunched:
- Toll operations officially began on the Keffi-Makurdi corridor (227.2 km, Nasarawa/Benue States) on 4 February 2025 — ending a 22-year absence of federal highway tolls
- Operated under a 25-year "Operate and Maintain" concession with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, executed in 2023 under the Buhari administration, to repay a $460.8 million China Exim Bank loan
- Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State is the first active gantry; additional stations along the corridor operational
HDMI Phase I — Nine Corridors Under 25-Year PPP Concessions:
- Total investment: ₦1.5 trillion across 9 corridors (900+ km combined) under the Highways Development and Management Initiative
- Concessionaires awarded: Africa Plus Consortium (Benin-Asaba, Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta), Avia Infrastructure Services (Abuja-Lokoja), Enyimba Economic City Consortium (Onitsha-Owerri-Abia, Enugu-Port Harcourt), AFC/Mota Engil Consortium (Shagamu-Benin, Lagos-Badagry-Seme), China Harbour Engineering (Keffi-Makurdi), Dafac Consortium (Kano-Shuari)
- Tolling begins on each corridor immediately upon completion of reconstruction — not before
Lagos State — Lekki Corridor Rehabilitation (2026):
- The Lekki-Ajah axis is under active 28 km phased rehabilitation — a 9 km stretch (Chevron to Admiralty) was completed ahead of schedule in early 2026
- The Admiralty Circle Plaza (Lekki toll gate) remains closed since October 2020; no confirmed reopening date as of April 2026
- LCC owes significant sums to local and foreign lenders — pressure to reopen is ongoing but the political sensitivity of the site remains a barrier
- Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway (Super Bus-Stop to Ilepo section) under reconstruction March–May 2026 under Federal Ministry of Works supervision
Nigeria's Major Toll Roads: Corridor-by-Corridor Guide
Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Highway (227.2 km) — LIVE:
- Nigeria's first active federal highway toll since 2003; running since February 2025
- Connects Abuja (FCT) through Nasarawa to Benue State capital Makurdi
- Gazetted rates: ₦500 saloon cars, ₦800 SUVs, ₦1,000 minibuses, ₦1,600 articulated vehicles; 50% discount for commercial light vehicles
- Operated by China Harbour Engineering under a 25-year concession to repay $460.8m China Exim Bank loan
Lagos–Ibadan Expressway (127.6 km) — Tolling Imminent:
- Nigeria's busiest intercity highway; under active reconstruction with ₦1 trillion+ investment
- Three toll plazas planned: Lagos end, Ogere, and Ibadan end; estimated ₦1,500 total for a saloon car
- Tolling will begin upon completion of reconstruction; currently free to use during works
Second Niger Bridge (Onitsha–Asaba) — Nearing Completion:
- Long-awaited second crossing over the Niger River connecting Anambra and Delta States; toll framework ready to activate on commissioning
Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (~750 km) — Section 1 Imminent:
- Flagship project under Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda; runs from Lagos through 9 coastal states to Calabar
- Financed by $747 million Deutsche Bank syndicated loan for Section One; concessionaire: Hitech Construction Company Ltd
- Toll rate widely cited at ₦3,000 per gate — among the highest proposed for any Nigerian highway
- Presidential inauguration of Section One targeted by end of April 2026
Lekki–Epe Expressway / Admiralty Circle Plaza — Suspended:
- 49.5 km PPP expressway managed by Lekki Concession Company; toll collection halted since October 20, 2020 (End SARS protests at Lekki Toll Gate)
- LCC carries significant debt obligations to local and foreign lenders; road remains usable for free
- Active rehabilitation works ongoing along the corridor in 2026
Planning Your Journey in Nigeria
For Drivers Right Now (April 2026):
- Keffi-Makurdi corridor: Pay at toll booths — have Naira cash ready (₦500 per gate for saloon cars)
- Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kano, Second Niger Bridge: Currently free — tolling activates upon completion of reconstruction
- Lekki-Epe Expressway / LCC plazas: Free — toll collection remains suspended; use as normal
- FAAN airport road: Small toll applies; carry cash
Security Commitments on Tolled Corridors:
- Government has committed to 10-minute security response time on all HDMI tolled corridors
- Solar lighting to be installed permanently along each tolled route
- Reduced travel time and improved safety expected as reconstruction completes
Informal Checkpoints — What to Know:
- Nigeria's highway network has historically featured numerous police, military, customs and road safety checkpoints — estimated at 50+ on some corridors (e.g. Lagos to Onitsha)
- These are separate from official toll gates; no payments are legally required at checkpoints
- Tolled PPP corridors are expected to reduce checkpoint density and improve journey times
Nigeria vs. Regional Countries (2026)
| Country | System Type | Current Status | Typical Car Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | Cash at booths; PPP 25-yr concessions | 1 corridor live; 8 others pending | ₦ 500–1,600 per gate (gazetted) |
| Ghana | MLFF e-tolling launching Q4 2026 | No tolls until Q4 2026 | GH₵ 1.00–1.50 per pass (proposed) |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Cash + ETC; Abidjan corridors | Active; expanding network | XOF 500–2,000 per plaza |
| Kenya | ETC (M-PESA / Expressway card) | Active — Nairobi Expressway | KES 100–350 per trip |
| South Africa | E-NATIS; N-road network | Active; N1, N2, N3, N4, N17 | ZAR 10–80 per plaza |
| Egypt | ETC + Cash; flat-rate per gate | Active on major highways | EGP 10–30 per journey |
| Morocco | Cash + Télépéage ETC | Active national autoroute network | MAD 10–50 per section |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there currently active toll gates in Nigeria?
Yes — one federal corridor is now active. The Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi highway (227.2 km) has been collecting tolls since February 2025 at the Garaku Toll Station and other points. The FAAN airport road toll also remains active. All other federal highways and the Lekki LCC plazas are currently toll-free.
What happened to the Lekki toll gate?
The Admiralty Circle Plaza (Lekki toll gate) has been closed since 20 October 2020 following the End SARS protests at which Nigerian Army soldiers opened fire on demonstrators. The Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll was also suspended at the same time. Both roads remain open and free to use; no confirmed reopening date for toll collection has been announced as of April 2026 despite mounting financial pressure on LCC.
Why did Nigeria have no federal highway tolls from 2003–2025?
President Obasanjo dismantled all federal toll gates in 2003, citing corruption — the toll system was generating only about ₦63 million daily and much of it was being diverted rather than reaching government accounts. The federal highway network remained toll-free for 22 years until the Tinubu administration revived tolling in February 2025 under a PPP framework designed to eliminate the corruption vectors of the manual system.
Which vehicles are exempt from Nigeria's new federal tolls?
Motorcycles, tricycles (Keke NAPEP), bicycles, military vehicles, police vehicles, paramilitary vehicles and diplomatic vehicles are all fully exempt from the gazetted HDMI fee schedule. Commercial light vehicles (as defined under the Federal Highway Act) receive a 50% discount — so a commercial saloon car pays ₦250 instead of ₦500 per gate.
When will the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway be tolled?
Tolling will begin only upon completion of the ongoing ₦1 trillion+ reconstruction. The expressway is currently free to use during works. No confirmed completion date has been announced for 2026, though the government has repeatedly committed to completing and tolling it. Three planned toll plazas (Lagos, Ogere, Ibadan) would put total car tolls at approximately ₦1,500 per full journey.
What will the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway toll cost?
A rate of ₦3,000 per toll gate has been widely cited in the media for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The official gazetted schedule has not been published as of April 2026. Given the scale of foreign financing involved ($747 million for Section One alone), the tolls are expected to be among the highest on any Nigerian road. The minister confirmed tolling will begin immediately upon inauguration, targeted for end of April 2026 for Section One.
Useful Links & Resources
African Toll Networks:
- Ghana Toll Roads — MLFF e-tolling launching Q4 2026; currently toll-free
- Côte d'Ivoire Toll Roads — Active cash + ETC tolls on Abidjan corridor highways
- South Africa Toll Roads — Comprehensive N-road tolling via E-NATIS
- Kenya Toll Roads — Nairobi Expressway with M-PESA digital payment
- Egypt Toll Roads — Active smart ETC + cash tolls on Cairo-area highways
- Morocco Toll Roads — National autoroute network with Télépéage system
- Tunisia Toll Roads — A1 and A3 autoroutes
- Tanzania Toll Roads — TANROADS highway tolls
- Uganda Toll Roads — Kampala-Entebbe Expressway
Official Authorities & Operators:
- Federal Ministry of Works — HDMI policy and federal highway concessions
- Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) — PPP oversight
- Lekki Concession Company (LCC): lcc.com.ng — Swiftpass eTag accounts, LCC Mobile App, Helpline: 0800 22 555 22
- FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria) — Airport road toll
- Emergency on Nigerian highways: 122 (Police), 123 (FRSC Road Safety), 199 (NEMA)
