“Every day, thousands of young Nigerians—our supposed “leaders of tomorrow”—are forced to endure bone-jarring rides, pay exorbitant transport fares, and risk life and limb on a road that looks more like a path out of a war zone”
It is both shocking and deeply shameful that in 2025, the major access road to three key federal institutions in Imo State—the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Federal Polytechnic Nekede, and the Police Training College—has been allowed to collapse into a state of utter disrepair. The Ihiagwa-Nekede road, a critical artery connecting these educational and security institutions, has become a living nightmare for students, staff, transporters, and residents.
Every day, thousands of young Nigerians—our supposed “leaders of tomorrow”—are forced to endure bone-jarring rides, pay exorbitant transport fares, and risk life and limb on a road that looks more like a path out of a war zone. A short trip to school now costs as much as ₦1,000 per drop, thanks to the broken-down nature of the road that discourages most motorists and causes serious wear and tear on vehicles.
One would expect that with three major federal institutions located along this route, the state government would prioritize its maintenance. These institutions not only bring national prestige to Imo State but also contribute significantly to its internally generated revenue through student spending, local employment, and infrastructural development. So why, then, has Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration turned a blind eye to the suffering of the people?
It’s not just students who are suffering. Staff of these institutions and the residents of Nekede and Ihiagwa communities are equally enduring the daily hardship of navigating this death trap. Transporters lament frequent accidents, mechanical damages, and increasing operating costs. Meanwhile, the representatives elected to speak for these communities—the lawmakers of Owerri West Federal Constituency and Owerri Senatorial Zone—have maintained a disturbing silence. Their constituency allowances come without delay, but so too do the allegations of misappropriation.
The abandonment of the Ihiagwa-Nekede road is not just a failure of infrastructure; it is a betrayal of public trust. It reflects the broader pattern of neglect, misgovernance, and disconnection between elected officials and the realities on the ground. If the government can collect school fees, taxes, and benefit economically from these institutions and communities, why can’t it provide a motorable road?
It is high time the students, staff, residents, and all those affected by this criminal neglect raise their voices louder. Enough of suffering in silence. The Ihiagwa-Nekede road is not just a road; it is a symbol of the government’s priorities—and right now, that symbol reflects nothing but abandonment and failure
