Daily Trust reports deteriorating highway is causing vehicle breakdowns, accidents, delays and rising transport costs
The deteriorating condition of the Bida–Lapai road in Niger State is causing prolonged travel times, vehicle breakdowns, accidents and increased transportation costs, with truck drivers reportedly contributing millions of naira towards temporary repairs to keep parts of the highway passable.
The development was reported by Daily Trust in a report published on Saturday, August 8, 2026, titled “Bida-Lapai: The 70km road where motorists spend days.”
According to the report, the highway, which links northern Nigeria with markets and seaports in the south, has been severely affected by potholes, damaged asphalt and other forms of road deterioration.
Transport operators interviewed by Daily Trust said the condition of the road had resulted in frequent breakdowns, damaged vehicle components, delays and accidents involving heavy-duty trucks.
Abdurahman Umar Gimba, identified as a member of the National Truck Drivers Association, told Daily Trust that transport unions had introduced measures to control the movement of heavy trucks around Bida in an effort to reduce accidents.
He said trucks were being released in batches of about 50 to 60 at a time to manage traffic and reduce the risk of collisions.
The report also quoted truck driver Muhammed Sani, who said he spent three days covering less than 40 kilometres while transporting bags of soya beans from northern Nigeria to Ibadan before his truck overturned.
Another truck driver, Usman Jaba of the GDN Truck Drivers Association, said truck operators had contributed about ₦20 million over six months towards emergency repairs on sections of the road.
Jaba also said the deteriorating condition of the Bida–Lapai route had increased the pressure on motorists using the corridor, particularly as some alternative routes have also become difficult to use.
Daily Trust further reported concerns from residents about accidents involving trucks carrying potentially hazardous materials. One resident, Isa Alhaji Sani Dankwarai, alleged that a chemical spill following a recent truck accident had affected vegetation and potentially contaminated water sources.
The road's condition has also affected traders and other commercial transport operators, with increased fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance costs and delays contributing to the rising cost of moving goods.
Dangote confirms preparation for road projects
The report comes as Dangote Group confirmed that preparations are ongoing for the construction of three major roads in Niger State under the Federal Government's Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.
According to the company's spokesman, Tony Chiejina, the projects cover the Mokwa–Bida, Bida–Lambata and Mokwa–Tegina roads, with a combined length of approximately 410 kilometres.
Chiejina said technical assessments and project planning were underway, with contractors expected to be mobilised between August and the end of the third quarter of 2026, subject to completion of the preparatory work.
The company said construction is expected to take approximately 30 months from the official commencement date.
The development offers a potential long-term solution to some of the infrastructure challenges reported along the corridor, although actual construction and rehabilitation timelines will depend on the project's implementation.
The Bida–Lapai road remains an important transport corridor for the movement of agricultural produce, livestock and other goods between northern and southern Nigeria.
Road users interviewed in the Daily Trust report called for accelerated rehabilitation of the highway, warning that continued deterioration could result in further accidents, economic losses and disruption to the movement of goods.
This report is based on and credits information published by Daily Trust in its August 8, 2026 report, “Bida-Lapai: The 70km road where motorists spend days.”
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