Growing concerns have emerged across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states over the deteriorating condition of major highways, with residents, transport operators and business owners warning that poor road infrastructure is hampering economic growth and threatening security in the region.
Stakeholders who spoke on the state of roads in the North-East described several key routes as unsafe and increasingly difficult to navigate, citing years of neglect, insecurity and inadequate maintenance.
Many of the affected roads have suffered extensive damage over the years due to insurgency-related challenges, which limited access for repairs and reconstruction. The frequent movement of heavy military equipment has also contributed to the rapid deterioration of road surfaces.
In Borno State, commercial driver Ali Bukar identified the 105.6-kilometre Maiduguri-Monguno Highway as one of the worst-affected routes.
According to him, the highway serves as a critical link between Maiduguri and several northern Borno communities, while also supporting military operations and humanitarian activities in areas such as Monguno, Marte, Kukawa and communities around the Lake Chad Basin.
Bukar acknowledged that rehabilitation work had commenced on the road but noted that several stretches remained in poor condition.
He explained that before construction resumed, motorists frequently experienced vehicle breakdowns, leading to increased transport fares and higher maintenance costs.
Another driver, Abba Kolo, described the Dikwa-Marte-Monguno road as equally challenging, noting that years of neglect had left parts of the road almost unusable.
He said movement becomes particularly difficult during the rainy season, adding that many farmers struggle to transport their produce because drivers avoid some sections of the route.
Several other highways across Borno continue to face serious challenges despite occasional repair efforts. Erosion, pavement failure and the impact of prolonged military activities have left many roads requiring comprehensive reconstruction.
Fish trader Musa Gana lamented the condition of the Monguno-Baga Road, saying transporters often increase fares because of the poor state of the corridor leading to the Lake Chad fishing hub.
Another commuter, Babagana Goni, called attention to the Kukawa-Damasak and Damasak-Gudumbali roads, describing them as strategic routes that connect border communities and support trade and security operations along the Niger Republic axis.
Similarly, the Bama-Banki Highway, an important international route linking Nigeria and Cameroon, remains in need of major rehabilitation.
Businessman Ba’a Mustapha said insecurity had contributed significantly to the road’s deterioration. He noted that the route remains heavily used by trucks travelling between Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon despite receiving little attention for more than two decades.
Truck driver Ibrahim Hassan added that the poor condition of the highway continues to increase transportation costs and negatively affect businesses operating along the corridor.
Attention has also been drawn to the Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri road, which residents say has suffered prolonged neglect despite serving as a vital connection between southern Borno and the state capital.
A businessman in Damboa, Bashir Mustapha, said upgrading the road would boost trade and improve the movement of people and goods throughout the area.
The spokesperson of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Borno, Muktar Suleiman, expressed concern over the condition of several federal roads in the state.
He said transport operators continue to spend heavily on vehicle maintenance while enduring longer travel times as a result of damaged road networks.
In neighbouring Yobe State, motorists and commuters voiced frustration over the condition of the Damaturu-Gujba-Biu road.
Commercial driver Yau Abubakar said a journey from Buni Yadi to Buratai now takes considerably longer because of numerous potholes and damaged sections.
According to him, travel times have increased significantly compared to previous years, making transportation more difficult and costly.
Motorist Modu Ibrahim urged authorities to prioritise repairs, arguing that the road is strategically important because it serves several military formations involved in counterinsurgency operations.
He maintained that better road conditions would improve troop mobility and strengthen security efforts in the region.
The NURTW Bus Section Chairman in Potiskum, Bala Audu, listed several roads in Yobe requiring urgent intervention, including the Potiskum-Gombe, Potiskum-Gashua, Kallallawa-Kaliyari, Kaliyari-Baymari, Baymari-Garin Alkali and Baymari-Geidam routes.
He said journeys that once lasted two or three hours now take as long as five hours, while accidents have become increasingly common.
The Chairman of the NURTW Taxi Section, Ibrahim Dapchi, also highlighted the financial burden imposed by poor roads, noting that vehicles and transported goods often sustain damage.
He appealed to the government to rehabilitate the affected routes, stressing that improved infrastructure would enhance safety and stimulate economic activities.
In Adamawa State, stakeholders called for the speedy completion of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Yola-Lafiya-Gombe road.
Adamawa NURTW Chairman, Umar Malam-Babba, welcomed the project but said it should be completed without delay to reduce accidents and ease transportation challenges.
He noted that the road’s poor condition had resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property and reduced economic opportunities for residents and businesses.
Malam-Babba also urged authorities to rehabilitate roads connecting Jalingo, Mubi and Madagali, describing them as equally important to the region’s development.
Motorist Abubakar Ahmadu said drivers currently spend up to 45 minutes navigating sections of the Yola-Lafiya-Gombe road that should ordinarily take less than five minutes.
Another road user, Felix David, expressed concern over criminal activities along damaged portions of the highway, alleging that thieves often target slow-moving trucks at night.
Meanwhile, Adamawa State Controller of Works, Demas Tuwai, assured road users that the Federal Government remains committed to improving transportation infrastructure across the country.
He said ongoing projects are designed to enhance connectivity, support economic growth and improve travel conditions for Nigerians. He also advised motorists to exercise caution and avoid excessive speed near construction sites to ensure the safety of workers and other road users.
Stakeholders across the North-East insist that timely rehabilitation of critical road networks is essential for economic recovery, improved security and the overall development of the region.