Nigeria’s transport crisis deepens despite massive investment

.As experts warn sector is on brink of collapse

Sixty-five years after independence and decades of investment in infrastructure, Nigeria’s transport system remains a key barrier to economic growth.

Experts say the sector is approaching collapse, unable to meet the needs of a growing population or support development goals.

Despite allocating billions of naira to roads, railways, airports, and waterways, Nigeria continues to grapple with a fragmented, underperforming network that increases business costs and hampers productivity.

Samuel Odewumi, a former dean of the Faculty of Transportation and Logistics at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), told BusinessDay that transport policy remains reactive and poorly coordinated across all levels of government.

Odewumi said, “Nigeria’s population has more than doubled since 1990, but our infrastructure has not kept pace. This gap creates bottlenecks, slows economic activity, and raises logistics costs.”

He warned that without urgent reforms, the system could face long-term breakdown.

Odewumi identified overreliance on roads as a central issue. While a small fraction of Nigerians use air travel, most depend on road transport, much of which is deteriorating.

“Our roads are not only overused, but misused. Trucks often carry 90 tons on roads designed for 30. That causes rapid damage, and repairs are often ineffective,” he said.

He noted that seasonal rainfall compounds the problem, eroding road surfaces and worsening infrastructure already under strain.

He also criticised the state of rail transport, pointing out that only a few lines — Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Warri-Itakpe — are functional, and even those operate below capacity.

“The Warri-Itakpe line has been down for over two months. A single locomotive has served the route for years with limited maintenance. That’s not viable,” he said.

He expressed concern over Nigeria’s reliance on Chinese loans for rail development, warning that maintenance and repayment are becoming difficult.

He also cited the lack of coordination among federal, state, and local governments as a persistent challenge.

“Responsibility is often unclear. State and local governments frequently wait for federal action. As a result, many feeder and rural roads are neglected,” he said.

Odewumi called for stricter freight regulations and a shift toward rail and inland waterways for moving goods. He emphasised the need for a multimodal system that integrates road, rail, air, and water transport and for policies that prioritise efficiency over political optics.

“We can’t build enough roads to meet demand. Cargo from Lagos to the East should move by rail or sea, not trucks,” he said.

He noted that transport inefficiencies raise operating costs, discourage investment, and reduce national competitiveness.

Odewumi also criticised the prevalence of tricycles and mini-buses in urban centres, describing them as indicators of underdevelopment.

“When small vehicles dominate city transport, it reflects poor planning. One train can move thousands. A mini-bus moves a dozen — with greater risk. We must invest in safer, more efficient systems,” he said.

He argued that sustainable solutions lie in clear policy, effective leadership, and private sector involvement.

“Transport can be self-financing. Government should focus on creating an environment that supports private investment and long-term planning,” he said. “At 65, Nigeria should not still be struggling with basic transport issues.”

Isa Emoabino, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and former chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers, echoed similar concerns.

He said that despite policy reforms and budgetary allocations, including N256.8 billion in the 2025 federal budget, Nigeria’s transport system remains inadequate.

“At 65, our transport sector should be enabling growth. Instead, it’s holding us back,” Emoabino said.

He pointed out that road infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth or economic targets.

“There’s a significant infrastructure gap, and existing assets are poorly maintained,” he said.

He also questioned the proposed 5 percent fossil fuel tax for road maintenance, urging transparency and clear application of funds.

“People will only support taxes when they see how the money is spent. The process must be accountable,” he said.

He linked poor road conditions to rising insecurity. “Most kidnappings and robberies happen on bad roads, where vehicles are forced to slow down,” he said.

He added that improved infrastructure would lower logistics costs, ease food distribution and help stabilise inflation.

While acknowledging progress in rail development, he said it is still insufficient.

“From 1960 to 1990, we neglected rail. Everything shifted to roads — and that’s why they deteriorate faster,” he said.

He called for bulk cargo and petroleum to be moved via pipelines and rail, rather than by trucks.

“Transporting petroleum by road damages infrastructure and increases risks. We have alternatives but don’t use them effectively,” he said.

He also urged the government to implement the National Road Fund and Federal Roads Authority laws, already passed but not yet operational.

“The frameworks are there. What’s missing is action,” he said.

He linked transport failures to food insecurity, saying many farmers cannot move their produce, leading to waste and higher prices.

“If transport doesn’t work, food can’t move — and that affects both availability and cost,” he said.

He called for a national transport strategy focused on sustainable funding, consistent maintenance, and integration across modes.

“We need less talk and more execution. Fixing transport is key to fixing the economy,” Emoabino said.

However, Chris Itsede, executive chairman of Polar-Afrique Consulting, said road construction is already contributing to economic activity.

He cited shorter travel times, lower transport costs, and improved access to markets, healthcare, and education as indicators of progress.

“Road projects are enhancing regional connectivity. Farmers can reach markets faster and reduce post-harvest losses,” he said.

He noted that construction creates jobs across sectors — for engineers, technicians, and suppliers — and stimulates local economies.

“Better roads attract investment, support small and medium businesses, and help drive growth,” Itsede said.

He acknowledged that road infrastructure is expensive but said long-term benefits outweigh the costs.

“Efficient logistics improve productivity. Roads connect people and goods,” he said. “As Nigeria continues to invest in infrastructure, road development will remain central to inclusive growth.”

Still, many experts agree that roads alone cannot deliver the impact needed.

Roads account for more than 90 percent of internal cargo transport, yet many are in poor condition. Rail services remain limited, and inland waterways are underused.

Without coordinated reforms and integrated planning, Nigeria’s transport system may not only fail to support growth — it could actively hinder it.