Residents stranded for days on Nigeria's dilapidated Benin‑Agbor‑Asaba road

Al Jazeera reporters surveyed residents and commuters along the Benin‑Agbor‑Asaba highway to gauge public sentiment about what they described as an escalating infrastructure crisis. The road, a major arterial link between Nigeria’s southwestern and southeastern regions, has been plagued by potholes, deteriorating bridges and frequent traffic disruptions, prompting concerns over safety and economic loss for local traders and transport operators.

Interviewees highlighted the daily challenges of navigating the damaged surface, citing increased vehicle repair costs, longer travel times and heightened risk of accidents. Many attributed the deterioration to delayed government maintenance, insufficient funding and a lack of coordinated planning, urging authorities to prioritize comprehensive rehabilitation. The responses reflect broader national criticism of Nigeria’s aging transport network, which officials have pledged to upgrade amid mounting pressure to improve connectivity and support regional commerce.