Nigeria: Federal roads across Nigeria: A daily struggle for commuters

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

Traveling on Nigeria’s federal highways has become an ordeal for many motorists and passengers, with roads in several regions verging on impassable. While some routes have seen partial repairs, much of the network remains in a state of disrepair, making inter-state travel a test of patience and endurance.

In the South-East, federal roads in Abia State, such as the Mbaise-Umuahia and Aba-Port Harcourt routes, have seen improvements under recent government interventions. Yet other critical highways, like the 50-kilometre Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, still pose daily hazards to commuters due to potholes and slow-paced construction projects. The Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road and sections of the Ohafia-Arochukwu highway also demand urgent attention, with local authorities stepping in only occasionally to maintain key areas.

Ebonyi State has witnessed growing frustration among residents over the neglect of federal roads including the Abakaliki-Afikpo expressway and the Afikpo-Okigwe road. Communities report that poor conditions have isolated villages, disrupted farming activities, and increased the risk of accidents.

The situation is equally dire in northern states, where the rainy season has worsened the condition of roads, turning them into dangerous stretches. In Nasarawa State, the Lafia-Assako-Namu and Keffi-Nasarawa-Toto roads are riddled with potholes, exposing commuters to accidents and criminal activity. Zamfara’s Gusau-Dansadau highway, built decades ago, has deteriorated into a hazardous route plagued by potholes and insecurity.

Taraba’s Numan-Jalingo road and the Mayo-Selbe-Gembu route to the Mambilla Plateau have become daily challenges for travelers. Broken bridges, abandoned projects, and heavy rainfall have compounded the difficulties, while the cost of transporting goods has soared.

In Kwara State, central routes connecting to Kogi, Osun, and Ekiti remain treacherous, with long stretches of roads like the Ijagbo federal road and Erinle road leaving commuters to navigate a patchwork of potholes. Similar challenges persist in Benue, where roads like Makurdi-Naka and Aliade-Gboko have become notorious for accidents and inaccessibility.

Bauchi and Kebbi states reflect a mixed scenario: some roads are being rehabilitated, but others remain in dangerous conditions, requiring urgent attention. Meanwhile, in Kano, Borno, and Yobe states, abandoned projects, rainfall, and insecurity have created death traps, forcing drivers to take extreme precautions on federal highways such as the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu and Kano-Gwarzo-Katsina routes.

Even Niger State, with the country’s longest network of federal roads, faces severe challenges. Approximately 80 percent of the roads are in poor condition, hampering movement and threatening lives, particularly along heavily trafficked routes used by large trucks.

For Nigerians, the state of federal roads is more than an inconvenience—it is a daily struggle. Safe and reliable roads are essential not just for travel, but for economic activities, access to markets, and the well-being of communities. Yet, with many highways still abandoned or partially repaired, commuters continue to endure long, risky journeys in search of connectivity.