Nigeria has banned the collection of road taxes, levies, and related charges through checkpoints nationwide, following a resolution by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), formerly known as the Joint Tax Board.
The decision was taken at the JRB’s meeting in Abuja on December 9 and 10, where the board issued a communiqué prohibiting the use of roadblocks, stickers, and other checkpoint mechanisms by state and non-state actors to collect taxes from road users.
Under the directive, security agencies have been instructed to dismantle illegal roadblocks across the country, while state governments were urged to harmonise their tax laws in line with federal guidelines. The board also warned against the targeting of transport unions and commercial drivers through unauthorised roadside collections.
The JRB said the measure is aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s tax administration, reducing harassment of motorists, and improving the ease of doing business. The reform is backed by a new legal framework expected to take effect in January 2026.
However, stakeholders have raised concerns about enforcement, especially on major highways where illegal checkpoints and multiple levies have persisted for years.
