By Chinwendu Obienyi
Unless Nigeria addresses its road infrastructure challenges, the country risks incurring substantial losses in productivity, potentially running into billions of dollars, according to a report released by SBM Intelligence on Thursday.
The research and analytics firm in its survey titled Road to Nowhere: A bumpy ride through Nigeria’s roads, stated that these challenges include inadequate power supply, poor road networks, insufficient rail systems, and underdeveloped ports, all of which hamper economic activities across various sectors.
Highlighting how poor road conditions and insecurity affect both drivers and the broader economy, the firm revealed that it engaged about 245 drivers across eight major commercial hubs, who spoke on vital issues such as potholes (32.9%) and security concerns (25.6%), with many drivers reporting that poor infrastructure extends travel times beyond predictions by standard navigation tools.
The survey also revealed traffic flow patterns, with evening hours (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) experiencing the heaviest congestion on interstate highways. While some routes, such as Bauchi to Kano, Kano to Abuja, and Jos to Bauchi, have seen improvements, drivers in Kano pointed out that the federal roads are still bad due to government abandonment, poor drainage, and incomplete projects.
According to the survey, these deficiencies exacerbate security risks, with 84.6% of respondents reporting incidents or threats along travel routes, further revealing that dangerous hotspots were identified in urban centres critical for interstate travel like Lagos, Maiduguri, and Port Harcourt, the latter being the most dangerous due to rampant kidnapping and limited police patrols.
It said, “Insecurity is a significant concern, with an overwhelming 84.6% of respondents reporting that they had either experienced or heard of security incidents along their travel routes. A majority of 58% viewed the roads as unsafe, with 34.7% expressing frequent security concerns and 23.3% indicating significant fears of insecurity.
This highlights a prevailing sense of unease among road users. Hotspots such as the Port Harcourt-Warri route have emerged as high-risk areas for theft, attacks, and kidnapping, particularly during peak travel hours when commuters are most vulnerable.”
The poor state of roads also drives up vehicle maintenance costs, with nearly half (49%) of respondents reporting increased expenses and shorter vehicle lifespans. These rising costs compel most transport operators to adjust pricing, burdening consumers, the survey said.
Whilst stating that addressing these infrastructure deficits remains an economic and social imperative, the firm explained that improved road conditions would reduce delays, lower operational costs, extend vehicle lifespans, and stabilise transport pricing, fostering a more efficient and sustainable system.
“Moreover, enhanced infrastructure would mitigate security risks, improve driver and passenger satisfaction, and unlock economic growth in affected regions. This comprehensive approach is critical to revitalising Nigeria’s transportation sector and boosting overall economic productivity,” it said.
Addressing these issues requires substantial investment in infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, and effective policy implementation to improve efficiency and drive economic growth.
However, failure to act could deepen Nigeria’s economic struggles and hinder its long-term development prospects.