The N38 billion Nasarawa–Oweto-Otukpo Federal Road, a strategic link between northern and eastern Nigeria, has reportedly collapsed and become impassable just three years after its inauguration.
The Nasarawa–Oweto-Otukpo Federal Road, a critical infrastructure project commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 at a cost of N38 billion, has suffered a total structural collapse. Originally designed to serve as a strategic alternative route connecting Nasarawa and Benue States to the eastern parts of the country, the road has now become largely impassable. Recent inspections revealed multiple failed sections characterized by caved-in shoulders, deep erosion channels, and peeled asphalt, forcing the few remaining motorists to navigate through nearby bushes to bypass the debris.
The rapid deterioration of the highway has been attributed to both a suspected failure in drainage design and a heavy influx of articulated vehicles that abandoned the Lokoja route for this shorter corridor. Reports indicate that several culverts are now exposed or completely damaged, rendering stretches between Agatu and Otukpo particularly dangerous. Consequently, the road—once hailed as a transformative project for rural trade and travel—now lies largely abandoned, with the caved-in carriageway serving as a stark reminder of the project’s short-lived utility.
Adding to the physical decay is a sharp decline in traffic caused by worsening insecurity along the corridor. Fear of attacks has led commuters to prioritize safety over convenience, with many returning to the much longer Makurdi–Otukpo route. This combination of structural failure and security threats has effectively neutralized the N38 billion investment, leaving the communities of Agatu and Oweto once again isolated.
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