By Fresh Facts Correspondent
What used to be a straightforward journey from Ilorin to Abuja has morphed into a harrowing ordeal as the once manageable road connecting major towns—Jebba, Mokwa, Bida, and Suleja—has deteriorated into a nearly impassable death trap. For thousands of commuters, transporters, and traders who rely on this critical corridor, it is now a highway to hell.
A journey that previously took between 8 to 9 hours now stretches painfully into 14 hours, and in extreme cases, up to two days—depending on the type of vehicle, the weather, and sheer luck. The devastating condition of the road has become a national embarrassment and a logistical nightmare, especially during the rainy season when potholes turn into ponds, gullies widen, and entire portions of the road become impassable.
A Road of Strategic Importance, Now in Ruin
The Ilorin–Abuja road, via Jebba, Mokwa, Bida, and Suleja, is one of Nigeria’s most strategic routes—serving as a major link between the North Central region and the Federal Capital Territory. It is vital for the transportation of agricultural produce, petroleum products, and human traffic between Kwara, Niger, and Abuja.
However, the road is now a testament to years of neglect and administrative silence. Large sections are riddled with massive potholes, washed-out shoulders, and collapsed culverts. Drivers are often forced to veer off the road entirely, navigating through bushes and farmland just to avoid getting stuck.
“We Sleep on the Road”—Commuters Tell Their Stories
Fresh Facts spoke to multiple road users who narrated their bitter experiences.
“I left Ilorin at 7 a.m. with my children, hoping to arrive in Abuja by 5 p.m. We ended up sleeping in the car near Mokwa because we couldn’t move again. Trailers were stuck, and there was no way forward or back,” said Mrs. Adejoke Adisa, a civil servant based in Abuja.
Commercial transporters are also counting losses. Musa Sani, a luxury bus driver who plies the route weekly, described the road as “a graveyard for vehicles.” He said, “Our buses break down often. Mechanics now follow us on the journey. Some parts of the road are so bad we have to push the vehicle with passengers inside.”
Businesses Suffer, Prices Soar
The economic implications are dire. Transporters have increased fares by as much as 50%, while the prices of food items transported from the North to the South have soared.
Mr. Chukwudi Nnaji, a tomato dealer from Bida, lamented: “Our produce gets spoiled on the road because trucks spend two or three days to get to their destination. We are losing millions. Sometimes we abandon the goods.”
Pleas for Government Intervention
There is a growing chorus of appeals to the Federal Government to prioritize the rehabilitation of this road. From farmers to traders, students to civil servants, Nigerians who rely on this route are pleading for urgent intervention.
Local stakeholders in Kwara and Niger States have also echoed the call. The Emir of Bida, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, recently raised the issue during a public event, describing the road as “a disaster waiting to happen” and urging the Federal Ministry of Works to act swiftly.
Is Relief on the Way?
While the Federal Government has listed parts of the road under proposed repairs in the 2024 budget, no tangible work has commenced. Several awarded contracts have either stalled or remained paper promises, further fueling public outrage.
Some civic groups have begun mobilizing for peaceful protests and road blockades to draw attention to the situation. Human rights lawyer, Barr. Aisha Nasir, warned: “When a road becomes a source of suffering and death, silence is not an option. The government must act now.”
Conclusion: A Road Too Important to Be Ignored
The Ilorin–Jebba–Mokwa–Bida–Suleja–Abuja highway is too critical to be left in ruins. Its collapse is not just a transportation issue—it is a humanitarian crisis, an economic blockade, and a security risk. With increasing road crashes, night-time robberies on broken-down vehicles, and the growing frustration of citizens, the time for decisive government action is now.
Fresh Facts Magazine joins the voices of countless Nigerians in demanding the immediate rehabilitation of this vital corridor. The lives and livelihoods of millions depend on it.
