In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, along with all government officials, will now be required to pay airport access toll and parking fees at all Nigerian airports. This decision was made during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Tinubu himself, where a memorandum from the Ministry of Aviation proposing the scrapping of toll exemptions for VIPs and officials was approved.
Speaking to journalists after the FEC meeting, Minister Festus Keyamo announced the decision, citing significant revenue losses due to the exemption of VIPs. He stated that the government was losing over 82 percent of the revenue it should have earned from airport access fees provided through e-tags.
Keyamo revealed that the initial memorandum recommended an exemption for the President and Vice President. However, President Tinubu overruled this recommendation, insisting that both he and the Vice President, along with their aides, must pay tolls like everyone else.
Expressing frustration over VIPs evading payment, Keyamo emphasized the unfairness of wealthy individuals avoiding fees while the burden falls on ordinary citizens. He vowed to end such practices, declaring that VIPs must contribute their fair share for essential services at airports.
The Minister also addressed issues of harassment by uniformed officers at airport gates, promising to install more cameras to monitor and capture those responsible for such behavior. He highlighted the potential revenue generation from tolls, estimating an annual income of N10 billion, while also considering rebates for military veterans.
The decision to end toll exemptions for VIPs represents a significant shift in policy and underscores the government’s commitment to fair and equitable treatment for all citizens accessing airport facilities.
