Stuck for Days: Nigeria’s Gridlock Is a Health Emergency

A video circulating on social media shows a woman brushing her teeth by the roadside, using water from a small sachet, somewhere along the Benin-Agbor road. She has been there for two days. Hundreds of vehicles form a long queue, engines idling but not moving. Drivers lounge in their seats, or stand outside, taking breaks on the highway that has become an open-air waiting room.

Far away, on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, a similar gridlock has left travelers stuck for up to three days, with reports of youths demanding informal fees to help clear a path through the chaos.

This scenario is not an isolated incident, but rather a growing pattern that deserves to be recognized as a public health emergency. Nigeria is not alone in facing this problem; it is experiencing a severe manifestation of a common issue worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 1.2 million people die in road accidents annually, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries where only about 60% of the world's vehicles are found.

On Nigerian highways, this trend is evident, as evidenced by a two-hour drive from Benin to Asaba turning into a four-day ordeal for some travelers.

The Federal Road Safety Corps recorded 9,570 crashes and 5,421 deaths in 2024. However, in the first quarter of 2025, while crashes reportedly decreased, deaths increased by over eight percent, indicating that the collisions are becoming more severe. This gridlock crisis introduces a unique kind of harm that often goes unreported in official statistics.

Travelers endure dehydration, lack of proper sanitation, inadequate food supply, and extreme heat, all of which pose significant health risks. Dehydration sets in quickly under such conditions, and children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, also face severe risks if their medication runs out during the prolonged delay.

Some travelers have abandoned their vehicles and walked through the bush to escape the congestion, facing the risk of unfamiliar terrain, insecurity, and potential medical emergencies. The prolonged exposure on a stalled highway is exchanged for the risk of walking in potentially hazardous areas. Mental strain is another significant concern, with travelers experiencing distress, irritability, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of accidents when the road finally clears.

The economic impact of these road closures is substantial, with losses estimated at around five hundred billion naira due to spoiled goods and delayed medical supplies. A simple stomach upset from a roadside vendor can quickly escalate into a medical crisis when the nearest functioning clinic is hours away.

While individual travelers cannot fix the infrastructure, they can take proactive steps to mitigate harm during these gridlock situations. Carrying additional water and food, having multiple days' worth of medication, and establishing communication plans with family members are practical measures that can make a significant difference.

Checking road conditions and social media updates before embarking on a journey can help travelers choose safer routes, potentially avoiding these congested areas altogether. As policy makers continue to invest in road maintenance, travelers bear the burden of navigating these challenges until the situation improves.