Stuck on the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway: From Lifeline to National Nightmare

On 1 April 2026, I was trapped on the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway in a standstill that lasted over 18 hours. Families slept in their cars under the sun. Children and expectant mothers endured heat, exhaustion, and soaring prices for basic supplies. Three trouble spots drive this crisis. At Banda, overlapping checkpoints and damaged roads funnel all vehicles into narrow lanes. The Akpogu–Gegu Beki corridor faces repeated engineering failures and slow repairs. In Gwagwalada, urban traffic and unexpected bridge closures choke long-distance flows. The human and economic impacts are severe. Travellers risk dehydration and health issues. Emergency services struggle to pass. Logistical delays cost Nigeria’s freight sector billions annually and push up consumer prices. Idle engines also worsen pollution along the route. A clear roadmap can fix this. We need single-stop security checks, full geotechnical studies, non-disruptive maintenance schedules, and strict performance bonds for contractors. Dedicated truck parks and accelerated dualisation will ease pressure. With focused execution and accountability, the expressway can fulfill its promise as a true national artery.

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