By Jeleel Olawale
In a country of more than 200 million people, road transportation remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the far reaches of Maiduguri, and from Port Harcourt’s industrial zones to Kano’s commercial hubs, the nation’s roadways weave together its vast and varied terrain. Yet, these roads are falling apart — marred by potholes, erosion, and years of neglect.
The consequences are far-reaching. Road accidents are commonplace. The movement of goods is delayed, inflating costs and prices. Motorists spend more on vehicle repairs. For many Nigerians, travelling by road has become a daily struggle that saps time, money, and in too many cases, lives.
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) reports that just 30 per cent of Nigeria’s road network is in good condition. The rest range from merely passable to downright dangerous. In cities, traffic bottlenecks have become routine due to poor road infrastructure. In rural areas, communities are cut off entirely during the rainy season, when dirt roads dissolve into rivers of mud.
Responsibility for maintaining Nigeria’s over 200,000 kilometres of roads is shared by the federal government, the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory. However, progress has been undermined by chronic underfunding, corruption, inconsistent planning, and a lack of political will.
The country’s logistics industry, which depends heavily on road networks, is bearing the brunt. Journey times are unnecessarily long, operating costs are rising, and the risk of transporting perishable goods has increased. For example, farmers moving produce from the North to the South face delays that lead to spoilage and drive up food prices.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributes thousands of road accidents each year to poor road conditions. Potholes, absent road signs, and dimly lit highways turn what should be simple trips into deadly gambles.
Despite the urgency, road infrastructure receives a limited share of the national budget. And even those scarce funds are often mismanaged. Corruption is a constant drag on progress, with inflated contracts, unfinished projects, and kickbacks siphoning off the money meant for development.
One glaring example is the 224-kilometre Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa road. Stretching from Iwo Road in Ibadan and connecting to the Ilesa–Akure Expressway near International Brewery, the road has become a hazard zone. Riddled with potholes, sharp drop-offs, and erosion gullies, it has claimed dozens of lives. According to the FRSC, at least 40 deaths were recorded in the last three quarters of 2024 alone, mostly due to road conditions.
The road is a federal trunk route, connecting Oyo State to key towns in Osun and Ondo States. It is a vital artery for drivers heading to the North and other parts of the country. Yet it has become infamous as one of the most dangerous highways in Osun State.
Commercial drivers who regularly ply the route describe a grim routine of broken suspensions, punctured tyres, and endless repairs. Many say they spend much of their income fixing the damage inflicted by the road.
A visit by our correspondent revealed that while the lane from Gbongan Junction to Ibadan remains badly damaged, the opposite lane heading towards Ile-Ife is nearly impassable. Around the Naira and Kobo Junction on the Ife-bound side, some drainage work has been done recently to prevent waterlogging. Nonetheless, residents report that the area continues to flood during rainstorms.
Poor road conditions are not just a nuisance — they are deadly. They have cut short the lives of both young and old Nigerians. The problem is compounded by overloaded trucks that exceed weight limits, accelerating the deterioration of even newly constructed roads.
Climate change presents another layer of complexity. Increasing rainfall and flash floods have worsened erosion, washing away road surfaces and undermining foundations.
Still, experts and stakeholders argue that solutions are within reach. One key proposal is to prioritise road maintenance over building new roads. Regular upkeep is more cost-effective than full reconstruction and can dramatically extend the lifespan of roadways.
Encouraging private sector participation through tolling and concession arrangements can help bring in new funding streams, improve accountability, and inject efficiency into road construction and management.
Enforcing existing regulations is also vital. Weight limits for heavy-duty trucks must be strictly observed, road projects must be independently audited, and corrupt practices need to be prosecuted without exception.
Adopting modern engineering solutions, such as the use of concrete in high-traffic areas, could help build longer-lasting roads. Durable materials and innovative technologies should become the norm, not the exception.
Community engagement offers another avenue for reform. Local residents can be empowered to monitor road projects, increasing transparency and holding contractors and officials to account. Civic pressure can force governments to place infrastructure higher on the agenda.
Decentralising road management — with states and local councils taking on greater responsibility, backed by appropriate funding — could make maintenance and development more responsive to regional needs.
Repairing Nigeria’s roads is not just a matter of smoother journeys or shorter travel times. It is a national priority with implications for safety, food security, economic growth, and social cohesion. Reviving the nation’s roads will reduce fatalities, ease the movement of goods and people, and help attract investment.
It is a long and challenging road ahead, but with the right mix of policy reform, transparency, and political commitment, Nigeria can reclaim its roads — and its future. The time to act is now.