Nigeria: Tinubu government orders federal airports to begin collecting toll fees

The airport landscape of Nigeria is on the brink of a major change, with the recent announcement from the government led by President Bola Tinubu. Now, all users of the country’s federal airports will be required to pay toll fees at the gates, a decision that has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

This directive, emanating from the highest authority in the country, means that no one is exempt from this new imposition, not even the president himself. This controversial decision was communicated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, following the FEC meeting in Abuja.

The stated objective of this measure is to stimulate the economy, facilitate investments, and improve the business climate in Nigeria. However, it is already raising concerns among travelers and stakeholders in the aviation industry, who fear its implications on the overall cost of travel and the competitiveness of the sector.

Indeed, the introduction of toll fees at the gates of federal airports represents an additional financial burden for Nigerians, who are already facing many economic pressures. Air travelers, in particular, may see their expenses rise, potentially discouraging some from traveling and limiting air travel accessibility for citizens with modest incomes.

Furthermore, this decision raises questions about transparency and the use of funds collected through these toll fees. Nigerians expect assurances regarding how these revenues will be used to improve airport services and strengthen the country’s aviation infrastructure.

Alongside this announcement, the FEC also greenlit a contract for the supply, installation, and training of operators for the aircraft recovery system at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. This contract, valued at 4.2 billion naira, follows a similar initiative launched previously at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in 2021.

While these measures aim to enhance airport services and bolster operational efficiency, their implementation raises concerns about their impact on travelers and the aviation sector as a whole. It is imperative that the government ensures transparent and responsible management of the revenues generated by these new initiatives, while ensuring they do not become an excessive financial burden on citizens.