The Ogun State Government has announced that toll collection on the Epe-Mojoda-Ijebu-Ode Expressway will commence on Monday, March 24, 2025.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the state government explained that the move is aimed at ensuring the long-term maintenance of the road, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing road safety.
The 14.7-kilometre expressway, which had suffered years of neglect, was reconstructed by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration into a modern highway equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including toll plazas.
The statement stated, “The Ogun State Government has announced the commencement of tolling operations on the Epe-Mojoda-Ijebu-Ode Expressway, starting from Monday, 24th March 2025, for the purpose of sustainable road maintenance, efficient operations, as well as enhanced road safety.”
The Director-General of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Hon. Dapo Oduwole, highlighted that despite the road being developed through a public-private partnership, tolling was not immediately introduced.
He attributed this to Governor Abiodun’s commitment to reducing the financial burden on residents.
It was further revealed that while tolling was initially planned since 2021, its implementation was postponed to provide relief to road users.
However, after four years of toll-free access, the need to balance public interests with investors’ economic considerations has necessitated the commencement of toll collection.
The statement clarified that certain vehicles would be exempt from toll payments, including emergency response vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol cars.
Additionally, Ogun State Government official vehicles, security vehicles, and other categories determined by the government will also enjoy toll-free passage.
Road users were advised to adhere to the tolling regulations, as strict enforcement measures will be in place.
However, the state government has yet to announce the toll rates for different vehicle categories, with further details expected closer to the start date.
Tolling has increasingly become a feature of road infrastructure funding under the current administration, with existing tolling operations, upcoming toll plans for completed roads, and future tolling strategies for ongoing projects. However, not all newly built roads will be subject to tolling.
In February 2025, the Federal Government began tolling the 227.2-kilometre Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road to facilitate repayment of a $460.8 million loan from China Exim Bank, which financed 85% of the $542 million project cost.
The road is under a 25-year concession agreement with China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited and Catamaran Nigeria Limited, ensuring that toll revenues contribute to loan repayment.
Additionally, the Federal Government plans to implement tolling under the Highway Development and Management Initiative for select roads upon completion. Expected tolling projects include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s Phase 1 and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as its sections are completed.
