Bad roads are more than just an inconvenience, they are a death trap, an economic bottleneck, and a daily reminder of failed governance. According to Statisense’s 2025 State Performance Index (NGF 2025), twelve states stand out for all the wrong reasons: they have been ranked as the states with the worst road quality in Nigeria.
The Bottom 12 States for Road Quality
1. Ogun State
2. Kogi State
3. Imo State
4. Taraba State
5. Ondo State
6. Edo State
7. Anambra State
8. Delta State
9. Bayelsa State
10. Kwara State
11. Kaduna State
12. Ekiti State
These states represent a painful picture of underdevelopment. From gaping potholes to collapsed bridges and unmotorable muddy paths, millions of Nigerians are forced to navigate daily hardship simply because their leaders have failed to prioritize road infrastructure.
The Reality on the Ground
The images tell the story better than statistics ever could:
Roads that resemble rivers during rainfall.
Entire communities cut off from economic centers.
Commuters spending double the travel time and triple the cost to reach their destinations.
Farmers unable to move their goods to markets, worsening food scarcity and inflation.
When basic mobility becomes a nightmare, the ripple effect touches every aspect of life, healthcare, education, business, and security.
Leadership and Accountability
The road crisis is not just about money; it’s about priorities. Billions are allocated every year to states for infrastructure, yet roads remain an open wound. Instead of fixing the arteries of development, leaders in many of these states focus on vanity projects and political patronage.
It is particularly shameful for states like Imo, Ogun, Anambra, and Edo, which are economically strategic, to appear on this list. Their failure undermines not only local growth but also national productivity.
The Call to Action
This report is a wake-up call to governors, senators, and policymakers:
Stop the looting, fix the roads. Constituency funds should not disappear into private pockets while citizens drown in mud.
Prioritize rural and urban linkages. Roads must connect farms, factories, and markets.
Enforce transparency. Publish road project allocations and completion timelines for public monitoring.
If Nigeria truly seeks development, the journey begins with accessible, durable, and safe roads. Until then, the daily suffering of citizens will remain a silent indictment of failed governance.
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