As flight delays mount and roads become increasingly hazardous across the country, Nigerians are feeling the weight of a crumbling transportation system. Whether by air, land, or rail, the nation’s transport sector is grappling with inefficiencies that are leaving commuters stranded, frustrated, and facing escalating costs, MOYOSORE SALAMI writes.

Mrs. Fatima Ibrahim, a small business owner in Lagos, shared her harrowing experience with Nigeria’s transportation chaos.

“I had to catch a flight from Lagos to Abuja for a business deal, but after waiting for hours at the airport, they suddenly announced a postponement with no refund in sight,” she said.

While this story is common, it shows a larger issue facing Nigeria’s transport landscape, a sector buckling under the weight of poor infrastructure, inconsistent policies, and rising costs.

For years now, Nigeria’s transport sector has been riddled with inefficiencies. Rising fuel prices, poor road networks, and delays in flight schedules are commonplace.

The Guardian observed that major highways such as the Ogbomoso-Oyo road and Benin-Ore road, amongst other which link key commercial cities in Nigeria, have deteriorated to such an extent that travellers are left spending hours, if not days, navigating the craters and potholes that dot the roads. Compounding this situation, key roads leading to critical infrastructure, such as train stations, remain neglected.

Despite various efforts by successive governments to address the issue, progress has been slow. These failures are not just a matter of inconvenience; they are costing the nation economically and with the poor infrastructure, they slow down the movement of goods, increase transport costs, and exacerbate the country’s traffic problem.

In an effort to demonstrate its commitment to improving transportation, the Federal Government recently allocated billions of naira to rehabilitation of major roads and expansion of rail lines.

Early this year, the Federal Government through the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali, commenced efforts to update the National Transport Policy. He noted that the ministry is currently in high level discussions with foreign investors to see how the transportation sector can be fixed.

Alkali said the policy was to create an integrated and sustainable multimodal transport system and deliver for the nation an organised, efficient, competitive, integrated, private-sector-driven, safe, secure, and sustainable world-class land transportation system that meets the needs of a growing economy and the people.

According to him, transportation goes beyond the movement of persons, goods, and services but also determines the wellbeing of almost all other sectors of the economy, including industry, commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and tourism.

“In December last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the vice president to lead a delegation to attend a conference in Beijing.

“The vice president was privileged to hold a bilateral discussion with the Chinese president. Among the issues raised was in respect of our railway modernisation project. The project was segmented initially. From Lagos to Ibadan was completed and put into use, and the Abuja to Kaduna, Warri to Itakpe. We are looking at the possibility of continuing the project from Ibadan to Abuja and from Kaduna to Kano, he said.”

Despite the government’s efforts, several hurdles remain. One of the biggest obstacles to improving Nigeria’s transportation sector is funding. Without sustained financial backing and transparency in project execution, these initiatives may fall short.

Moreover, expanding the rail system and upgrading airports will take years, and there is no quick fix for the current crisis. The lack of adequate refueling infrastructure, particularly rail services, also hampers the sector’s growth. Poor road conditions leading to major transport hubs like train stations further complicate matters.

A source in a transport service company, who requested anonymity, noted that the poor state of Nigeria’s roads is a significant obstacle to the growth of the sector.

“There isn’t a single good road left in this country; if you are heading towards Kaduna, Abuja, or Sokoto, the roads are so bad that they throw off our timing. For instance, a journey from Lagos to Abuja, which should take a day or two, now takes much longer time due to the deplorable road conditions.”

The source shared how the bad roads not only delay deliveries but also cause damage to trucks: “For example, Auchi in Edo State has such large pools of water on the roads that they shorten the lifespan of our trucks. One of our drivers recently spent 14 days on the road due to these challenges. Our trucks often get stuck for days, and by the time they return, many come back with significant damage. We have had situations where 10 out of 20 trucks come back in bad shape, impacting our ability to serve our clients effectively.”

The source also pointed to the issue of law enforcement, noting that officers often harass logistics operators without cause. “Law enforcement can stop us for no reason, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area or lack a specific document tied to that state. In some cases, they even resort to stealing, particularly if you are transporting beverages. This harassment has become worse in northern states with Sharia law, where transporting alcohol is a serious issue. We end up paying bribes just to continue our journeys.”

According to the source, safety concerns on bad roads exacerbate the challenges, with accident being a frequent occurrence. “I’ve had a truck roll over because the driver was trying to manoeuvre around a culvert. These accidents cost us millions. If there are victims, the cost only increases as you have to treat them and recover your goods. It’s a tough situation, especially with poor road infrastructure.”

The source urged the government to take action, suggesting that a national transport policy focused on safety and proper road maintenance be put in place.

“There needs to be a unified body that ensures the roads leading to major cities are well maintained. The implementation of strict safety regulations is also necessary to prevent inexperienced drivers from causing more harm on the roads. There is currently no proper database, so someone can cause a fatal accident and get away with it. These issues must be addressed if we want to improve logistics and transport safety in Nigeria.”

In a report published recently in the media, an expert, who spoke at the 63rd edition of the Centre for Value in Leadership, Prof Odewunmi Samuel said: “Transport as the anchor of the economy is not just a sector but the backbone of the economy.”

He noted the need for a national transport policy, which has been pending for 30 years, and public-private partnerships to address the challenges in the transport sector.

“Among the three critical things that need to be tackled is the national transport policy. They have been trying to put it in place for the past 30 years but none has been pronounced. We need to get a transport policy right. Road system of transport is an orphan in the country. Water and rail have mobility but are contributing five per cent to mobility. Less than five percent of trade is in Africa due to a failed transport system. There should also be the public-private partnership.”

In the aviation sector, regulatory bodies like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) introduced stricter air travel regulations aimed at reducing flight delays and improving safety standards. However, the aviation sector’s woes continue to frustrate passengers, who are left grappling with frequent delays and poor service at airports. Without a clear roadmap to fix these systemic issues, Nigeria’s transportation sector may continue to limp along, leaving commuters with a few reliable options.

In recent years, an increase in flight postponements due to technical issues, airline mismanagement, and fuel scarcity has been observed. In addition, exorbitant fares have made air travel unattainable for many Nigerians, especially following fuel subsidy removal, which has inflated aviation fuel costs.

Though the government pledged to tackle flight delays by improving regulatory oversight and expanding airport infrastructure, the practical fufilment of these promises remains a challenge. While there are new constructions, commuters complain that existing services are unreliable and undermine their accessibility. Likewise, though the government is committed to rehabilitating roads, projects often drag on for years without significant progress.

According to an aviation analyst, Chidozie Uzoezie, the aviation industry in Nigeria is grappling with a multitude of challenges that threaten its long-term viability. “There’s a plethora of challenges facing the aviation industry in Nigeria, from exogenous factors to self-inflicted woes.”

Uzoezie underscored several key issues, including unfavourable government policies, an unhealthy business environment, defective regulatory frameworks, systemic corruption, outrageous import duties and VATs, and multiple taxes.

He expressed worry that these obstacles, coupled with outdated infrastructure and high-level international aero politics, have stagnated the sector.

“Nigerian airlines are also contending with ‘weak’ local currency and foreign exchange scarcity, which complicates access to credit facilities and drives up maintenance costs and aviation fuel prices. The unavailability of navigational aids for night operations means many airports in Nigeria are effectively sunset airports, preventing airlines from fully optimising aircraft utilisation.

“The impact of these challenges on the aviation sector has been severe, affecting key performance indicators such as schedule reliability, operational efficiency, fleet optimisation, profitability, and overall passenger experience.”

Uzoezie explained that high maintenance costs and forex scarcity have led to many airlines grounding their aircraft, resulting in poor on-time performance and passenger satisfaction.

While he acknowledged the efforts of private sector stakeholders to improve the situation, Uzoezie lamented that successive governments have failed to address these pressing issues.

However, he pointed to some positive developments under the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) whom he said had demonstrated leadership and taken initiatives to tackle challenges relating to capacity crunch, aircraft leasing, and consumer protection.

Despite these efforts, Uzoezie emphasised that the elephant in the room remains the scarcity of foreign exchange, which continues to impede airlines’ capacity and profitability.

He also stressed that core underlying challenges stem from unfavourable government policies, which can only be addressed through government intervention. Unfortunately, he noted, there has been little improvement in aviation policies in recent years, with governments focusing more on revenue generation than on enhancing the growth of the industry. Uzoezie acknowledged that while bad weather is a major cause of flight delays and cancellations beyond the control of airlines, issues like poor time management and overbooking also contribute.

He urged stakeholders, particularly airlines, to enhance their communication with passengers and improve operational efficiency. “Regulatory agencies should intensify their oversight to ensure smooth airline operations.”

According to reports, the Ministry of Works and Housing is spearheading the effort to fix critical roads, while the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has embarked on a long-term plan to modernise the country’s rail network.

The road leading to Abeokuta’s train station is a glaring example of this neglect. Commuters who opt for rail travel often find themselves battling rough and dangerous terrain just to catch their train.

Initially designed to coordinate efforts across various transport modes, Nigeria’s national transport policy has devolved into a bureaucratic labyrinth. While it outlines lofty goals for integrated transportation systems, actual implementation remains piecemeal. However, experts argued it has failed to deliver intended outcomes due to weak enforcement mechanisms, lack of political will, and pervasive corruption.

To address the issues plaguing Nigeria’s transportation sector, a comprehensive, multifaceted approach is needed. Stakeholders in the industry emphasised public-private partnerships as a viable means of ensuring adequate funding and efficient execution of infrastructure projects.

They craved better project oversight and transparency to prevent the mismanagement that characterised previous efforts. The stakeholders noted that revamping the road network, modernising rail services, and improving air travel infrastructure are essential steps toward ensuring that Nigerians can move freely and safely within their country.

To achieve this, the national transport policy must be revisited to ensure clearer enforcement provisions, stronger accountability measures, and focus on sustainable infrastructure development.

A logistics manager at Goldmine Fortune, Babaodu Matthew, said: “Our main challenges in Nigeria’s transportation stem from poor infrastructure, bad roads and little or no route signage, especially on new roads. We need to focus on fixing roads with proper drainage, adequate signage, and lane discrimination.

“Regulatory enforcement is another issue. For instance, in Lagos, many commercial buses are not roadworthy, yet enforcement officers tend to ignore them, focusing instead on private and corporate vehicles. It’s essential to streamline the responsibilities of enforcement agencies and ensure objectivity and compliance for all road users. No double standards.

“Fuel prices are a critical concern for us. Fixed rates significantly impact profitability, resulting in massive losses when fuel prices surge from N620 to N1000 per litre. We need stable fuel prices that don’t fluctuate dramatically.”

Matthew noted that Nigeria’s overreliance on road transport stems from the limited development of other modes of transportation.

“This dependency has serious consequences, including increased traffic congestion, deteriorating road conditions, higher maintenance costs, and safety challenges. A multi-modal approach is essential, particularly focusing on rail transport. Investment in rail infrastructure for intercity and freight transport could help distribute traffic away from roads, providing a cost-effective solution for moving passengers and goods over long distances. I commend the Federal Government for the blue and red rail lines, but timely completion is crucial.

“Water transport is another viable alternative. Nigeria has many underutilised inland waterways that could enhance river and coastal transportation for cargo, alleviating some of the strain on road networks.

“Air transport could also play a key role, but its costs are prohibitive. An average family of five travelling to Abuja often opts for road travel over air. Reducing aviation fuel costs, especially for local flights, would ease the burden on road transport.

“In the oil and gas sector, expanding pipeline infrastructure offers further possibilities. This could significantly reduce the number of tanker trucks on the roads by establishing direct lines from depots to major fuelling stations, thus mitigating accident risks and environmental impacts.

“Moreover, the number of road officers, both authorised and unauthorised, is excessive, with many doing similar tasks. The government should consider creating a single office responsible for vehicle documentation and compliance, streamlining the issuance of all required documents based on vehicle type and usage to eliminate illegal or unauthorised checks on the roads.

“Improving alternative means of transportation would not only relieve pressure on our road systems but also lower infrastructure costs and drive long-term economic growth. Personally, I see a significant gap between national transport policy and what’s happening on the ground. While policies may aim for better infrastructure, safety, and sustainability, real issues like limited funding, poor roads, enforcement challenges, and touts can hinder progress. Closing this gap requires adjusting policies to address these everyday challenges,” he noted.