Nigeria Toll Roads Complete Guide: Federal Toll Rates, Payment and 2026 Update
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Nigeria Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Federal toll reintroduction in progress; cashless payment on first active corridor (Abuja-Makurdi); most major highways not yet tolled
Operator: China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Ltd / Catamaran Nigeria Ltd (Keffi-Makurdi corridor under HDMI Phase I); Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) oversight
Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN)
Coverage: Currently one active federal corridor (Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi, 227.2 km); Lagos-Ibadan, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano and others scheduled pending construction completion
Technology: Cashless (debit/credit card POS) on Keffi-Makurdi; future corridors expected to follow cashless model with RFID lanes
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Nigeria? 2026 Update
Nigeria abolished all federal toll gates in 2003 under President Obasanjo. After more than two decades, the Federal Government officially reintroduced tolling on February 4, 2025, launching operations on the 227.2 km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway — the first active federal toll corridor in Nigeria since 2003.
Key Reality: If you are driving the Abuja-Makurdi corridor, you will pay at four toll stations (Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, Makurdi). Payment is cashless only — debit or credit cards accepted. Carry a functional bank card; cash is not accepted at these plazas. Motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles are fully exempt.
For all other major federal routes — including Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, and Abuja-Kano Road — tolling has been announced but is not yet operational as of early 2026. These corridors are scheduled for tolling under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase I, subject to completion of ongoing construction and concession finalisation.
2026 Update: The Federal Ministry of Works has signed 25-year "Operate and Maintain" concessions with private sector partners for nine road corridors under HDMI Phase I. The Keffi-Makurdi corridor is the live pilot of this model, with revenue directed to repay the $460.8 million China Exim Bank loan used to rehabilitate the road.
Nigeria Toll Costs: Current Rates
The gazetted federal toll schedule — applied at the Keffi-Makurdi corridor from February 2025 and expected to form the basis for all future HDMI corridors — is as follows:
Gazetted Federal Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2025-2026)
| Vehicle Type | Rate per Plaza (NGN) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon Cars | ₦500 | Standard passenger cars |
| SUVs and Jeeps | ₦800 | Sport utility vehicles and 4x4s |
| Minibuses and Light Vehicles | ₦1,000 (₦500 with commercial discount) | Commercial light vehicles as defined under the Federal Highways Act receive 50% discount |
| Multi-Axle Vehicles (Trucks, Articulated Vehicles, Large Buses) | ₦1,600 | All multi-axle heavy vehicles and large buses |
| Motorcycles, Tricycles (Keke), Bicycles | Exempt | All two- and three-wheeled vehicles fully exempt |
| Military, Police, Diplomatic and Essential Service Vehicles | Exempt | Gazetted exemption under Federal Tolling Policy |
Source: Gazetted Toll Order for the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Federal Highway, Federal Ministry of Works, February 2025. These rates are expected to apply to future HDMI corridors as they come online.
Example Costs: Abuja-Makurdi Corridor (Active 2026)
| Journey Segment | Plazas Passed | Saloon Car (NGN) | SUV (NGN) | Multi-Axle Truck (NGN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abuja to Makurdi (full 227 km) | 4 (Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, Makurdi) | ₦2,000 | ₦3,200 | ₦6,400 |
| Abuja to Lafia (approx. 160 km) | 3 (Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia) | ₦1,500 | ₦2,400 | ₦4,800 |
| Abuja to Keffi only | 1 (Keffi) | ₦500 | ₦800 | ₦1,600 |
Upcoming Corridors: Announced but Not Yet Active (2026)
| Route | Concessionaire | Status (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos-Ibadan Expressway | Julius Berger / RCC Engineering | Tolling pending road completion |
| Second Niger Bridge (Onitsha-Asaba) | ICRC-managed concession | Announced; tolling not yet commenced |
| Abuja-Kano Road | TBD under HDMI | Announced; not yet operational |
| Makurdi-9th Mile (Enugu) | TBD under HDMI | Announced; construction ongoing |
| Benin-Asaba and Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Roads | Africa Plus Consortium | Concession awarded; not yet operational |
| Shagamu-Benin and Lagos-Badagry-Seme Roads | AFC / Mota Engil Consortium | Concession awarded; not yet operational |
| Onitsha-Owerri-Abia and Enugu-Port Harcourt Roads | Enyimba Economic City Consortium | Concession awarded; not yet operational |
How to Pay Nigeria Tolls
The active Keffi-Makurdi corridor operates on a cashless-only basis. This is a deliberate policy departure from the corruption-prone cash system that existed before 2003.
1. Debit and Credit Cards (Primary Method):
- POS terminals at toll plazas accept Verve, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards
- Ensure your card is functional and PIN-enabled before travel; bank network outages can cause queues at plazas
- Cash is not accepted at any HDMI federal toll plaza
2. Future Payment Systems:
- The Federal Ministry of Works has indicated future corridors will add RFID-capable tag lanes as a faster option alongside card payment
- Mobile payment integration (USSD, bank apps) is under consideration but not yet deployed at any federal plaza
3. State-Managed Toll Points:
- Some state governments operate separate toll points independent of the federal HDMI system
- The Lekki-Ikoyi toll gate and Lekki Admiralty Circle plaza (Lagos) remain suspended as of 2026 following the October 2020 End SARS protests
To calculate toll costs across Nigerian routes for all vehicle types, use the TollGuru Nigeria toll calculator:
Enforcement and Penalties
Enforcement on the Keffi-Makurdi corridor is managed by the concessionaire in coordination with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigerian Police deployed at toll points.
Non-payment consequences:
- Barrier arms physically prevent passage until payment is made
- Refusal to pay can result in FRSC or Police intervention at the plaza
- Evasion of a toll barrier is an offence under the Federal Highways Act and can attract fines in addition to the outstanding toll
Note on unofficial checkpoints:
- Nigeria's highways have historically had unofficial police, customs, and FRSC checkpoints where informal levies are sometimes demanded
- Legitimate HDMI toll plazas are branded, issue electronic receipts, and accept only card payments — they do not accept cash
- If stopped at an unmarked checkpoint and asked for cash, this is not a legitimate federal toll payment
Recent Changes (2026)
February 2025: Federal Toll Reintroduction:
- Toll operations commenced on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway (227.2 km) at the Garaku Toll Station, Nasarawa State — the first federal toll since 2003
- Four toll stations active: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi
- Gazetted rates: Cars ₦500, SUVs ₦800, minibuses ₦1,000 (₦500 with commercial discount), multi-axle trucks ₦1,600
- Managed under 25-year concession by China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Ltd (CHOMC) / Catamaran Nigeria Ltd
- Revenue directed to repaying the $460.8 million China Exim Bank loan for road rehabilitation
HDMI Phase I: Nine Corridors Under Concession:
- Concessions awarded to private operators for Lagos-Ibadan, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano, and other corridors; tolling pending construction completion on each
- Federal Government committed over ₦1.5 trillion across nine HDMI Phase I highway projects spanning 900+ km
- All concessions require a 10-minute emergency response time commitment and solar lighting along tolled corridors
Lagos State:
- Lekki toll gate (Admiralty Circle Plaza) and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll remain suspended as of 2026 following the October 2020 End SARS protests
- No confirmed reactivation date for Lagos state toll points
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Abuja to Makurdi (full corridor): ₦2,000 for a saloon car (4 plazas x ₦500)
- Lagos-Ibadan, Second Niger Bridge, and other major routes: no federal toll charges currently active
- Commercial vehicle operators on the Keffi-Makurdi corridor benefit from a 50% discount on the minibus/light vehicle class (effective rate ₦500 per plaza)
Travel Tips:
- Carry a functional PIN-enabled debit or credit card when travelling the Abuja-Makurdi corridor; POS connectivity issues at plazas have caused queues — allow extra time
- The Abuja-Kaduna Expressway (not under HDMI tolling) retains security checkpoints; factor this into journey time
- Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is not currently tolled but remains under major reconstruction — expect lane restrictions and congestion
- Legitimate HDMI toll plazas issue electronic receipts; request a receipt if in any doubt
Currently Toll-Free Federal Routes (2026):
- Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (federal tolling pending construction completion)
- Second Niger Bridge / Onitsha-Asaba crossing (federal tolling pending)
- Abuja-Kano Road (federal tolling pending)
- Lagos Third Mainland Bridge (toll-free)
- All state and local government roads outside the HDMI concession network
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nigerian roads currently have active federal tolls?
As of early 2026, only the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway (227.2 km) has active federal toll operations, with four stations at Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi. All other major federal routes including Lagos-Ibadan and Second Niger Bridge have been announced but are not yet tolling.
Can I pay with cash at Nigerian toll plazas?
No. The active Keffi-Makurdi corridor is cashless-only and accepts debit or credit cards (Verve, Mastercard, Visa) at POS terminals. This is a deliberate policy to prevent the corruption and leakage that plagued the pre-2003 cash system. Future HDMI corridors are expected to follow the same cashless model.
Are motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) exempt from tolls?
Yes. All two- and three-wheeled vehicles — motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles — are fully exempt from toll payment under the gazetted federal tolling policy. This applies across all current and planned HDMI corridors.
Why were Nigerian tolls abolished and when were they reintroduced?
Toll gates were removed in 2003 by President Obasanjo due to widespread corruption and inability to account for collected revenue. The Federal Executive Council approved reintroduction in 2021, and tolling commenced on the Keffi-Makurdi corridor in February 2025. The cashless-only model is designed to address the transparency failures that led to the 2003 abolition.
When will Lagos-Ibadan Expressway tolls start?
The Federal Government has stated tolling will commence upon completion of the expressway's ongoing reconstruction by Julius Berger and RCC Engineering. No confirmed start date has been announced as of early 2026. Construction delays have pushed the timeline back repeatedly.
What is the HDMI and what roads does it cover?
The Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) is the Federal Government's framework for privatising the operation and maintenance of key federal roads through 25-year concessions. Phase I covers nine corridors. Private concessionaires fund maintenance and collect tolls to recover costs and repay infrastructure loans.
Nigeria vs. Neighbouring African Countries
| Country | System Type | Typical Car Rate | Electronic Tolling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | Cashless card (POS); reintroduction in progress | ₦500 per plaza (Keffi-Makurdi only active) | Cashless POS on active corridor; RFID planned |
| Ghana | Manual cash booths; system partially reinstated after 2022 abolition | GHS 1 - GHS 5 per plaza | No nationwide ETC |
| Ivory Coast | Concessioned motorway tolls; Telepeage RFID on Abidjan routes | CFA 200 - CFA 1,500 per plaza | Yes, Telepeage RFID tags available |
| Kenya | Nairobi Expressway fully cashless; older cash plazas on national roads | KES 100 - KES 500 per section | Yes on Nairobi Expressway (M-PESA, card, tag) |
| South Africa | SANRAL cash and tag plazas; Gauteng e-toll suspended | ZAR 10 - ZAR 85 per plaza | Yes; SANRAL tag on N1, N3, N4 |
| Egypt | Manual cash + card on Cairo ring roads and expressways | EGP 2 - EGP 30 per plaza | Partial; Cairo expressway card system active |
Official Resources
- Federal Ministry of Works - Policy, HDMI concessions, and national highway tolling updates
- Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) - PPP and concessioned toll road oversight
- Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) - Federal road maintenance and highway operations
- Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) - Road safety enforcement and highway compliance
