The Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has unveiled a significant policy change, mandating toll payments for all users of federal airports throughout the nation.
This decision was ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its recent session held in Abuja over Monday and Tuesday.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, the FEC’s approval encompasses all individuals, including the President and the Vice President, who will now be required to pay tolls at federal airport gates. Onanuga further disclosed that the FEC also greenlit the provision, installation, and training of disabled aircraft recovery system operators at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport.
The contract for this endeavor at Murtala Muhammed Airport is valued at N4.2 billion, mirroring a similar contract awarded in 2021 for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Onanuga emphasized that these decisions were reached after thorough discussions aimed at enhancing the economy, fostering investments, and streamlining business operations across the nation.
Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), attributed the approval to a memorandum he presented highlighting the government’s significant revenue losses, estimated at over 82%, due to non-payment of toll fees facilitated by e-tags.
Keyamo noted that while the initial memorandum suggested exemptions solely for the President and Vice President, President Tinubu intervened, directing that they, too, be subjected to the toll charges. He expressed disappointment that affluent Very Important Persons (VIPs) had been evading these payments, stressing the need for equitable toll collection.
The minister underscored the imperative to halt the prevailing practice where only individuals of modest means were being levied at toll gates, advocating for a fair and inclusive toll collection system.
