Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, has urged Nigeria’s government to repair its crumbling roads before starting new construction projects. He warned that highways across the country have become so neglected that travel is now unsafe, expensive, and a drag on the economy.
For everyday Nigerians, the problem is clear. Drivers spend more on repairs, transport operators raise fares, and traders struggle to move goods to markets. Communities along major routes say poor roads cut them off from schools, hospitals, and businesses. “Fixing what we already have will bring immediate relief,” Obi said, echoing frustrations shared by millions.
Nigeria has the largest road network in West Africa over 108,000 kilometers of paved roads but much of it is in disrepair. The government has budgeted ₦3.23 trillion for roads in 2026, a sharp increase from previous years. Yet critics argue that flashy new projects often overshadow the urgent need to maintain existing ones.
Officials have acknowledged the scale of Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit but continue to announce new road initiatives. Critics say this approach risks spreading resources too thin, leaving existing roads neglected. Supporters of Obi’s position argue that rehabilitating current networks would strengthen economic activity and improve safety more quickly than starting fresh projects.
The economic losses are staggering. Bad roads cost Nigeria billions of dollars each year in delays, higher transport costs, and damaged vehicles. A trip from Lagos to Kano that should take 15 hours often drags on for 20. Truck drivers say they spend more on repairs, and passengers pay more for fares. Security is another worry many report robberies and kidnappings on poorly maintained highways.
The issue stretches beyond Nigeria’s borders. The country’s roads are the backbone of West African trade, linking Lagos to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and even Algeria through the Trans Sahara Highway. When Nigeria’s roads fail, regional commerce slows, hurting farmers, exporters, and businesses across the continent. International partners such as the African Development Bank and World Bank have invested in projects like the $15.6 billion Lagos Abidjan Highway, but progress has been slow.
Global impact is undeniable. Nigeria’s 108,000 km of paved roads form the largest network in the region, connecting ports in Lagos to neighboring countries. A Lagos Kano trip that should take 15 hours often stretches to 20, slowing supply chains across West Africa. The Trans‑Sahara Highway links six countries representing 27% of Africa’s GDP, but poor maintenance in Nigeria weakens its potential. Bad roads cost Nigeria billions annually in repairs, delays, and higher transport fares, rippling into regional trade costs. Over 80% of drivers report robberies or kidnappings on highways, threatening both local travel and cross‑border commerce. Projects like the $15.6 billion Lagos–Abidjan Highway, backed by the African Development Bank and World Bank, aim to restore investor confidence.
For global readers, the stakes are clear: Nigeria’s roads are not just local infrastructure they are lifelines for regional trade, investment, and security. Obi’s call to repair before building is more than a domestic policy debate; it’s a reminder that Africa’s largest economy must keep its arteries open if it wants to drive growth across the continent.
