The Federal Government has officially announced that there will be no toll collection on the recently rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. This decision was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, who cited structural and traffic concerns as the primary reasons for ruling out tolling on the critical infrastructure.
Why Tolling Was Rejected for the Bridge
Minister Umahi explained the government's rationale during a press briefing. He stated that introducing toll plazas would require additional construction work on the bridge itself. This construction would place an extra static load on the structure, potentially compromising its integrity. Furthermore, the minister highlighted that the bridge's location within the densely populated city centre would create severe traffic bottlenecks if tolling were implemented.
"We will not engage in construction on this bridge because it will entail static load on the bridge," Umahi said. "It is also within the town, so it will introduce many bottlenecks; that is why we are not tolling this bridge." This announcement provides relief to millions of Lagos commuters who rely on the bridge daily.
N40 Billion CCTV Security Hub Inaugurated
The minister made this significant announcement on Sunday, January 11, 2026, following the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera Control Centre on the bridge. The security facility is valued at a staggering N40 billion and represents a major investment in the safety of bridge users.
Umahi detailed that security operations on the 11-kilometre bridge will be managed by the Nigeria Police Force. The advanced CCTV infrastructure is designed to ensure a rapid response time of approximately five minutes to any incident reported on the bridge. To complement this, the government will deploy emergency support services, including tow vans and ambulances, to be stationed strategically to address vehicle breakdowns and accidents promptly.
Broader Infrastructure Commitment and Related Projects
This initiative is part of the administration's broader commitment to improving critical infrastructure and the quality of life for citizens. The rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge, announced in August 2025, is a massive project expected to cost the Tinubu administration over N3 trillion, underscoring its scale and importance as Nigeria's longest bridge.
In a related development, Minister Umahi recently inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway. He expressed strong satisfaction with the work done by JRB Construction. This vital road, linking the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa State, is used by thousands of civil servants and is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2026. The minister noted that the contractor's performance has set a pace for others to follow, reaffirming support for capable indigenous companies.
The combined efforts on the Third Mainland Bridge and other key roads signal a focused drive by the Federal Government to enhance transportation safety, efficiency, and reliability across the nation.
