A recent Nigerian research study has uncovered why goods take too long to reach markets and customers across the country—and it points to more than just traffic.

The study, led by supply chain expert Temitope Babarinde, shows that poor road conditions, high fuel costs, and the lack of proper storage facilities are the biggest obstacles causing delivery delays in Nigeria’s freight and logistics sector. Babarinde’s research focused on companies that transport goods across the country, with special attention given to Lagos State, a major transport hub.

According to the findings, most truck delays are caused by pothole-ridden highways, driver fatigue, and the unpredictable cost of diesel. The study also found that many companies struggle because they don’t have access to enough storage centers or modern tracking systems to monitor goods in transit. Other problems include surprise road taxes, civil unrest, paperwork delays, and the challenge of finding available trucks when demand spikes.

“This research confirms what many businesses and everyday Nigerians already know,” Babarinde said. “Our logistics network is overburdened, and fixing the roads alone isn’t enough—we need policy changes and better infrastructure to keep the economy moving.”

Babarinde’s findings were recently presented at the ECOWAS Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA) Program, where they are now part of a learning module aimed at improving trade movement along key corridors in West Africa.
Speaking on the study, Dr. Fatimata Traoré, Chair of the TFWA Steering Committee, noted:
“Temitope’s research offers real-time, actionable evidence. It highlights what we’ve seen across the region—where poor road infrastructure and warehouse gaps are slowing trade and hurting regional growth. This kind of data is vital for shaping smarter corridor investments.”

Prof. Kwame Mensah, a transport economist and TFWA adviser from Ghana, added:
“We can’t talk about improving port-to-market speed without addressing inland logistics. The high cost of fuel and delays from driver inefficiencies are not just a Nigerian issue—they’re affecting trade throughout the ECOWAS region. This research gives us the tools to act.”

Sofia van Rijn, GIZ Trade Corridor Specialist and TFWA digital systems expert, commented:
“One of the striking takeaways from this study is how the lack of digital tracking systems compounds the delays. Small improvements in freight visibility and route planning—especially in Nigeria—can create ripple effects that benefit the entire West African economy.”

Experts hope that this data will help the Nigerian government and transport companies work together to fix the system—making it easier, faster, and cheaper to move goods from farm to market, warehouse to store, and port to city.