Abuja Number Plate Crisis: Motorists Allege Delays, Extra Payments

The acquisition of vehicle number plates in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, has been hit by allegations of prolonged delays, scarcity and unofficial payments, leaving some motorists waiting for months to receive plates they have already paid for.

Some applicants who spoke to DAILY POST alleged that motorists willing to pay extra were sometimes given preferential treatment, while those using the official process could wait for more than three months.

One applicant, Chinedu Okafor, alleged that he paid between N50,000 and N55,000 for a number plate after being assured it would be ready within two weeks. He said he was later asked to pay an additional N50,000 for what he was told was a “VIP” arrangement.

Another applicant, Blessing Eze, claimed that some motorists who had completed payment were still waiting for their plates, with additional charges allegedly demanded afterwards.

A licensing officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also alleged that number plates that previously took one or two days to obtain were now taking more than three months.

The officer claimed that some applicants were being offered plates at significantly higher prices under what was described as a “premium” service.

“We normally paid about N70,000, together with insurance, for a private car, and after weeks of waiting, they would reach out to us to say that it had increased to over N100,000,” the officer alleged.

A staff member of the Osun State licensing office similarly complained that Abuja number plates, which previously took about three to four days to process, could now take as long as two months.

The official said the delays were affecting motorists who were subsequently stopped by law enforcement officers for driving without valid identification documents.

An Abuja-based car dealer, identified as Olayinka, said he paid N350,000 for dealer plates for one of his companies but had yet to receive them after two months.

He also alleged that plates that ordinarily cost between N80,000 and N90,000 were being offered for about N180,000 through what he described as the black market.

The allegations could not be independently verified.

However, in an attempt to test the complaints, a reporter made payment for an FCT number plate through one of the staff members involved in the process. More than a month later, the number plate and accompanying documents were reportedly still unavailable.

The situation has heightened concerns among vehicle owners, who say they risk harassment or enforcement action while waiting for number plates they have already paid for.

Motorists and dealers are calling on the Federal Government and FCT authorities to investigate the alleged racketeering, address the supply shortage and publish clear information on the official cost, processing time and approved payment channels for vehicle number plates.

They are also seeking clarification on whether any legitimate VIP or premium number plate service exists and, if so, the legal basis and approved charges for such a service.

Reacting to the complaints, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), acknowledged that concerns over the scarcity and prolonged delays in obtaining number plates in Abuja were “not very far from the truth.”

The agency attributed the situation to limited supply, network challenges and its digital allocation system.

Speaking through its spokesperson, Kalu Emetu, in a phone interview with DAILY POST, the agency said about 80 per cent of its operations were now conducted online.

He explained that the self-service portal was one of several platforms through which applicants could access services, including vehicle number plates.

Kalu, however, said the digital system had created additional challenges, particularly because applicants outside Nigeria with faster internet connections could access available number plates more quickly than applicants within the country.

“What they are saying is not very far from the truth, but the point is there are reasons for that,” Kalu said.

He added that the VIO itself was not receiving the quantity of number plates it requested from the printing facility, saying the shortage had created suspicion between applicants and licensing officers.

According to him, customers sometimes accuse officials of withholding plates or misappropriating their money when the real issue is that the required plates are unavailable.

“Once we upload the little numbers that they supply to us, the public will feel nothing was uploaded because it can’t serve half of the applicants.

“That’s why we’ve been having all the pressure,” he said.