The impact of Bad Roads on Transportation in Nigeria can not be overemphasized. A lot of roads in Nigeria are not in good condition and most rural area doesn’t have a tar road at all. Poor road networks in Nigeria cause delays, high transport costs, food waste, accidents, and economic losses estimated at 1billion yearly.
According to Bureau of statistics road transport accounting for more than 90 per cent of the sub-sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria. And Federal asphalt covers just 60,000 km out of 200,000 km (30%). The rest is dirt or poorly maintained. World Bank on its topic of Addressing Transportation Inefficiencies in Africa stated that transport costs can be 30–50% of goods’ value and 70% of users rate road conditions in Nigeria as “average” or “poor.” Potholes and insecurity are top issues.
Impact of Bad Roads on Transportation in Nigeria
With the statistics listed above is obvious that the Impact of Bad Roads on Transportation in Nigeria is enormous and will take time to be eradicated.
The following are the impact of bad road in Nigeria:
Macro-Economic Impacts
Huge Economic Drain
Nigeria’s national road network spans about 200,000 km, with only 60,000 km paved road. When up to 85% of those roads are in poor condition (as of 2007) , it’s no surprise Nigeria loses roughly $1 billion per year—connected to delays, wear, spoiled goods. Another report pegged losses at ₦450 billion annually ( $1.1 billion)
GDP & Transport’s Share
In 2020, roads contributed ₦2.4 trillion ($6.4 billion) to GDP. Yet, poor roads drag growth, hinder employment, and limit tourism and investment. Concrete roads, for instance, offer a longer lifespan and lower maintenance vs asphalt but remains uncommon .
Foreign & Local Investment
FDI fell to about $3.7 billion in 2023, partly due to infrastructure shortcomings. Investors view weak roads as red flags higher logistics costs, unpredictable travel. Even world-class projects, like Lekki Deep Sea Port, depend on land connectivity current bottlenecks restrict projected gains in cargo handling and efficiency
Economic Impacts
Agriculture & Food Security
- Up to 40% of harvested produce spoils before getting to market.
- The farm-to-market cost can explain half of retail food prices.
- Food inflation surged due to transport delays, exacerbated during rainy season and on rural routes
Logistics & Retail
- Transport costs, e.g Abuja to Lagos jumped from ₦29,800 in 2023 to ₦51,000 in 2025
- Similar fee surges reported Lagos–Port Harcourt, Bayelsa–Lagos, etc. .
- 75% of commercial drivers report delays, longer trips, higher fuel use due to poor roads
Vehicle Wear & Operating Costs
- Car owners expend around ₦22/km on vehicle wear; heavy trucks exert even more damage
- Roughly 49% of drivers see higher maintenance and shorter vehicle lifespans
- Heavy vehicles (>50 tons) contribute most to pavement failure .
Human Cost: Time & Safety
- Lagos–Kano journeys take ~20 hrs vs estimated 12–14 hrs .
- Lagos–Ibadan: 3.5 hrs actual vs 2 hrs estimated
- The average person encounters potholes 1–2 times weekly; 15% face them daily .
Security & Emergency Services
- 84.6% of drivers report security threats kidnapping, robbery often worsened by slow, poor-condition roads .
- Delayed police, ambulance, fire response due to terrain worsening crises and fatalities
But is not all part of Nigeria that is affected by insecurity, areas like Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and many others a very save to do business without any fear of insecurity. Check my article on Reasons why Nigeria is save for business and tourist.
Accidents & Fatalities
Fuel Tanker Disasters
- Oct 2024: Over 100 killed in Majia, Jigawa when tanker overturned during fuel subsidy-induced surge.
- Oct 2024: 140 dead in Majiya one of Nigeria’s worst tanker blasts
Recent Crashes
- Mar 2025: Trailer explosion on Abuja-Nyanya highway killed 6 people.
- Jan 2025: Enugu-Onitsha tanker crash killed 18; bystanders died attempting to scoop fuel.
Annual Toll
- Official stats: 5,000 casualties/year; WHO estimates 40,000 .
- Poor roads and unsafe tankers are complicit.
Root Causes & Systemic Issues
Under-Funding & Misallocation
- Road maintenance gets <1% GDP vs recommended ~3% .
- In 2021, N168 billion was budgeted for roads far below actual needs.
Project Abandonments
- Over 50% of funded road works (2015–2022) were stalled or abandoned.
- Several expressways (Enugu–Port Harcourt, Lagos–Ibadan) face delays from funding misallocation and bureaucratic hiccups
Poor Construction & Oversight
- Low-quality materials, no design adaptation: asphalt fails after 7–8 years, compared to 40-year concrete roads.
- Heavy trucks run on roads not built for their weights .
Political Priorities Over Core Needs
- Government favors “prestige” projects (airports, coastal highway) over rural and essential freight roads .
- Critics like Peter Obi called these priorities “misplaced”
Human Stories & Realities
Delays & Lost Opportunities
- Emeka, a trader: “I arrived days later…opportunity slipped…an economic setback and a reflection of wider issues”.
Emotional & Daily Toll
- Lagos minister: “I shed tears…” after 14 hrs on road.
- Individuals recount losing markets, patients, income due to poor roads and unpredicted travel time leading to frustration, anxiety.
Solutions to Bad Roads on Transportation in Nigeria
The following are the possible solutions to the impact of Bad Roads on Transportation in Nigeria:
Enhanced Funding & Maintenance
- Increase road spending to at least 3% of GDP.
- Prioritize regular maintenance vs “build new” mentality.
Prioritize Core and Rural Routes
- Finish expressway projects: Lagos to Ibadan, Enugu to PH.
- Elevate rural and feeder roads (e.g., Taraba to Lagos).
New Materials & Standards
- Shift to concrete for long-term durability.
- Enforce axle load limits and build truck weigh stations.
Institutional Reform & Accountability
- Use tech (GPS, field sensors) to verify project progress.
- Public dashboards on road projects and costs.
Multi-modal Integration
- Link freight roads with rail (e.g., Lagos to Kaduna rail) and ports for better cargo flow .
Safety Overhaul
- Upgrade tanker design and enforce transport regulations.
- Public awareness campaigns against fuel scooping—past efforts show reduction
For more details check 10 Safety Tips You Should Follow When Traveling Within Nigeria
Frequently Asked Questions and answers about Impact of Bad Roads on Transportation in Nigeria
What are the major effects of bad roads on transportation in Nigeria?
Answer:
Bad roads in Nigeria cause delays, higher transport costs, frequent vehicle breakdowns, and increased road accidents. They also make it hard for farmers to transport their goods, leading to food spoilage and inflation. Insecurity on roads also worsens due to slow movement and isolated routes.
How much does Nigeria lose due to bad roads every year?
Answer:
Nigeria loses over ₦1 trillion (about $1 billion) annually due to bad roads. These losses come from damaged vehicles, wasted farm produce, delayed deliveries, and road accidents.
What percentage of Nigerian roads are in poor condition?
Answer:
As of recent data, over 70% of roads in Nigeria are either in poor or bad condition. Most rural roads are untarred, and many federal highways have potholes and washouts that make them difficult to use.
How do bad roads affect food prices in Nigeria?
Answer:
Bad roads make it hard for farmers to transport food to markets. About 40% of perishable goods spoil before reaching cities. This leads to reduced supply and higher prices, contributing to food inflation.
Are road accidents in Nigeria caused by bad roads?
Answer:
Yes. Poor road conditions like potholes, failed bridges, and poor signage contribute significantly to road accidents. Nigeria records up to 40,000 road traffic deaths annually, according to WHO estimates.
Which states in Nigeria are most affected by bad roads?
Answer:
States like Lagos, Enugu, Kogi, Benue, and parts of the North-East suffer heavily due to decaying road infrastructure. Key roads such as Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and Enugu–Port Harcourt Road are notorious for traffic gridlock and breakdowns.
Why are Nigerian roads in such bad condition?
Answer:
Several factors cause this:
- Poor maintenance culture
- Inadequate government funding
- Corruption in road contracts
- Use of low-quality materials
- Overloaded trucks damaging the roads
What is the government doing about bad roads?
Answer:
The federal and state governments have budgeted funds for road repairs and are working on some major projects like the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the 2nd Niger Bridge. However, many Nigerians complain that progress is slow and not enough attention is given to rural roads.
How do bad roads affect emergency services in Nigeria?
Answer:
Bad roads delay ambulances, fire services, and security responses. In rural areas, people often die before help can reach them due to inaccessible or flooded roads. This worsens the impact of accidents and health emergencies.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s economy and quality of life are hindered by poor roads. Fixing them would pay back many times saving lives, cutting costs, boosting trade and farmer incomes. It’s time for the government and private sector to act, prioritizing roads as a foundation for growth.
