The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that it would require an estimated ₦880 billion annually to adequately maintain the country’s extensive road network, underscoring the growing burden of infrastructure upkeep and the urgent need for sustainable funding mechanisms.
This estimate, disclosed by officials from the Federal Ministry of Works during a recent stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, highlights the immense pressure on the national budget to keep over 200,000 kilometers of federal, state, and rural roads in motorable condition. The cost projection includes routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and rehabilitation of deteriorating road segments across the six geopolitical zones.
According to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the country’s road infrastructure, though improving in parts, still suffers from decades of neglect, underfunding, and environmental wear. “To truly keep our roads in good shape, Nigeria needs to invest at least ₦880 billion every year. This figure is based on engineering assessments, traffic volumes, and the current state of road infrastructure nationwide,” Umahi stated.
He emphasized that while the government has initiated several road development and rehabilitation projects under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda, a sustainable financing strategy remains critical. “What we have now is a firefighting approach—fixing roads when they are already impassable. We need to transition to a maintenance-first culture,” he added.
Currently, Nigeria spends significantly less than the estimated requirement on road maintenance. In the 2025 national budget, less than ₦300 billion was allocated for all road infrastructure, which includes both new construction and maintenance. The gap leaves many roads, especially in rural areas, in dire condition, affecting economic activities and increasing transport costs.
To bridge the funding shortfall, the government is exploring a mix of options, including:
Public-private partnerships (PPP) for toll road operations and maintenance.
Special road maintenance levies on petroleum products and heavy vehicles.
Establishment of a Road Maintenance Fund, independent of annual budgetary constraints.
Digital monitoring systems for timely interventions and efficiency tracking.
Infrastructure experts and economists have welcomed the cost estimate as a step toward transparency but warned that implementation is key. Dr. Tunde Babalola, a transportation economist at the University of Lagos, said, “₦880 billion is a realistic figure when you consider inflation, the size of the network, and the logistics. However, funding is only one side of the coin. There must be accountability, efficient contracting, and transparent execution.”
Bad roads are estimated to cost Nigeria billions in lost productivity, vehicle maintenance, and delayed goods. With agriculture and commerce heavily reliant on road transport, poor infrastructure continues to hamper economic diversification and national growth.
In response to the announcement, several state governments have called on the federal government to decentralize aspects of road maintenance, empowering states and local contractors with the resources and oversight to manage regional roads more efficiently.
As the rainy season intensifies, the pressure on Nigeria’s roads will only increase, making the ₦880 billion estimate not just a financial benchmark—but a national priority.
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