Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has defended the toll pricing structure on some Nigerian highways, saying the charges are determined with consideration for the quality and benefits of upgraded roads.
The commission’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, made the clarification while discussing toll arrangements under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).
According to a report by Punch published on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Ewalefoh used the 227-kilometre Akwanga–Makurdi road corridor as an example of how tolling operates under the initiative. The corridor has four toll gates, with motorists paying as they travel along the route.
The ICRC’s position comes amid continuing public discussion over the cost of using tolled highways and whether motorists receive sufficient value from the charges imposed.
ICRC Links Toll Charges to Road Quality
Ewalefoh said toll prices are evaluated against the condition and benefits of the roads being upgraded.
He argued that the cost of using an improved highway should also be considered alongside the expenses motorists previously faced when travelling on roads in poor condition.
Those costs, according to the ICRC chief, include time lost because of slower journeys, vehicle damage and increased exposure to road accidents.
The argument forms part of the commission’s broader explanation of how public-private partnership arrangements are intended to finance, operate and maintain major road infrastructure.
The ICRC is responsible for overseeing federal government public-private partnership arrangements, including infrastructure projects involving private-sector participation. The commission’s official project information shows that tolling and related systems are being developed as part of Nigeria’s broader infrastructure financing framework.
Akwanga–Makurdi Corridor Used as Example
The Akwanga–Makurdi road corridor was highlighted by Ewalefoh as an example of the tolling model.
The 227-kilometre route has four toll points, meaning motorists encounter charges at different points while travelling along the corridor.
The ICRC said the pricing structure is intended to take account of the benefits provided by improved road infrastructure rather than simply charging motorists for access to an existing road.
Ewalefoh also said feedback from some road users indicated that motorists were willing to pay tolls when they could see noticeable improvements in road quality.
That position, however, reflects the commission’s account of road-user feedback and does not necessarily represent the views of every motorist using Nigeria’s tolled highways.
Maintenance Costs Built Into Toll Structure
Another element of the ICRC’s explanation is the role of toll revenue in maintaining the roads.
Ewalefoh said part of the revenue generated from toll collections is specifically allocated to road maintenance.
Under the concession arrangements described by the commission, the government is not expected to assume additional maintenance costs for the duration of the relevant contract.
The arrangement is designed to ensure that the infrastructure remains maintained after rehabilitation or upgrading rather than allowing the road to deteriorate once the initial construction work has been completed.
The ICRC has previously described public-private partnerships as a mechanism for attracting private investment into infrastructure while reducing pressure on government finances. Its official records identify the Highway Development and Management Initiative as a programme intended to develop and manage federal road networks through sustainable private-sector investment.
48-Hour Pothole Repair Requirement
The commission also highlighted maintenance obligations attached to the concession arrangements.
According to Ewalefoh, potholes are expected to be repaired within 48 hours, while major routine repairs are funded from dedicated toll revenue.
The arrangement is intended to create a direct link between toll collection and continued road maintenance.
In principle, this means motorists paying to use the highway are expected to receive not only access to an upgraded road but also ongoing maintenance designed to preserve the road’s condition.
The effectiveness of such a model ultimately depends on the implementation of the contractual maintenance requirements and the quality of oversight.
Tolling and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Financing Challenge
The debate over highway tolls is connected to a wider infrastructure financing challenge facing Nigeria.
Major roads require substantial investment not only for initial construction or rehabilitation but also for routine maintenance and long-term preservation.
The ICRC has promoted public-private partnerships as one way of attracting private capital into infrastructure projects where government resources alone may be insufficient.
Under such arrangements, private investors can participate in financing, developing, operating or maintaining infrastructure under agreed contractual conditions.
Nigeria’s HDMI programme has included major road corridors under concession arrangements. In January 2023, the ICRC announced that the Federal Executive Council had approved 1,374 kilometres of roads across nine corridors under the initiative, including the Benin–Asaba and Abuja–Lokoja routes.
These arrangements are intended to shift some of the financial and operational responsibilities associated with infrastructure development while establishing mechanisms through which investors can recover their costs.
What Motorists Are Paying For
For motorists, the central issue is whether the toll charged corresponds with the quality, reliability and safety of the road being provided.
The ICRC’s explanation is that toll pricing should not be viewed independently of the condition of the highway and the costs associated with maintaining it.
A road that reduces vehicle damage, travel delays and accident risks can provide economic benefits beyond the physical road itself.
For commercial transport operators, travel time and vehicle maintenance costs can have a direct effect on operating expenses. For private motorists, improved road conditions can similarly affect journey times, vehicle wear and safety.
The extent of those benefits, however, depends on the actual condition of each road and how effectively maintenance obligations are enforced.
Accountability Remains Important
Tolling under a public-private partnership also creates a need for transparency around how charges are determined and how revenue is used.
The ICRC has said that negotiators consider toll prices carefully in an effort to keep charges fair.
The commission’s broader infrastructure framework also places emphasis on accountability and monitoring within PPP arrangements.
Its official website describes the agency as responsible for overseeing transparent public-private partnerships for Nigeria’s federal infrastructure.
For motorists and other road users, transparency can help explain why particular charges are imposed, what improvements they are expected to finance and what maintenance obligations operators are required to meet.
What Happens Next
The tolling debate is likely to continue as more Nigerian road corridors are developed or operated through public-private partnership arrangements.
For the ICRC, the challenge is to ensure that the tolling framework delivers the infrastructure improvements and maintenance obligations contained in concession agreements.
For motorists, the focus will remain on whether upgraded roads provide tangible improvements in travel conditions and whether those improvements justify the charges applied.
The ICRC’s latest explanation makes clear that it views highway tolls as part of a broader infrastructure financing and maintenance model rather than simply as a fee for using a road.
As Nigeria expands private-sector participation in road infrastructure, the relationship between toll prices, road quality, maintenance standards and accountability will remain central to discussions about the country’s highways.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch — report on the ICRC’s defence of highway toll pricing and comments by ICRC Director-General Jobson Ewalefoh.
- Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) — official information on federal road tolling and PPP projects.
- Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission — information on the Highway Development and Management Initiative and private-sector participation in road infrastructure.
- Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission — official overview of public-private partnerships and infrastructure financing.