Outcry in Epe: Residents Demand Fairness Over Dual Toll Gates on Epe/Ijebu-Ode Expressway

By Sultan

Tensions are rising in Lagos State’s Epe Division as residents and stakeholders voice growing frustration over what they describe as unfair toll practices on the recently renovated Epe/Ijebu-Ode Expressway.

The controversy centers around two toll gates situated on the same road—allegedly managed separately by the Lagos and Ogun State governments. The presence of both tolls, locals argue, amounts to double taxation and places an unnecessary financial burden on daily commuters.

Currently, road users report paying between ₦1,000 and ₦2,000 per trip, depending on the size and type of vehicle. For farmers, traders, workers, and students who rely on this route daily, the charges are more than just inconvenient—they’re unsustainable.

“This toll is a clear hardship on our people,” a community leader said during a recent town hall. “Why should people be punished for going to work or taking their goods to market?”

In response, residents are proposing more reasonable fees: ₦200 for cars, ₦300 for SUVs, and ₦500 for trucks and trailers. These revised rates, they argue, strike a fairer balance between government revenue generation and the economic realities of everyday citizens.

But the issue runs deeper. Community members say they’ve been left in the dark about how toll revenue is managed, the reasoning behind the second toll gate, or any collaboration between Lagos and Ogun States. The lack of transparency has only fueled public resentment.

Many are drawing comparisons to the 2022 suspension of toll collections at the second Lekki-Ajah toll gate—a decision that came after intense public opposition. Epe residents believe the same kind of civic action could once again prompt change.

“Our people stood up then, and the government listened,” said a local youth leader. “We believe they can listen again.”


The calls for reform have now been formally escalated to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. The community’s demands include:

  • The removal of one of the two toll gates to end double billing
  • An immediate review and reduction of current toll rates
  • Clear and transparent communication on the tolling framework and inter-state coordination

“This isn’t just a local problem,” a protest organizer concluded. “It’s a test of responsible governance—whether our leaders are willing to prioritize fairness and economic justice for the people they serve.”

As the pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the state and federal authorities to respond—and respond quickl

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