In a move towards financial equity at Nigerian airports, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are slated to start paying tollgate fees.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has passed a resolution abolishing tollgate fee exemptions for airport users, a policy that previously favored certain VIPs.

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, highlighted the significant revenue loss over 82% due to exemptions granted to users with e-tags, which facilitate tollgate access.

The original memorandum exempted the president and vice president from these fees. However, President Tinubu has mandated that this privilege be rescinded, ensuring that he and the vice president contribute to the tollgate payments.

During a media briefing after the FEC meeting, Keyamo pointed out that the wealthy VIPs, who were the intended payers of the tollgate fees, have largely avoided them. In contrast, less affluent citizens have consistently been charged.

Keyamo expressed his belief that this inequitable practice should be stopped without delay, advocating for a fairer tollgate fee system at airports.