Outrage as Ogun budgets ₦34bn on official cars despite deadly roads

A review of government spending has sparked outrage in Ogun State after records revealed that over ₦34 billion was budgeted for official vehicles between 2023 and 2025, despite worsening road conditions across the state.

The spending, which covers cars for lawmakers, commissioners, and other senior officials, comes as residents continue to navigate dangerous, poorly maintained roads blamed for rising accidents and fatalities.

Deadly roads and rising accidents expose an infrastructure crisis

Across several communities, deteriorating roads have become a daily hazard for motorists and residents. In areas like Adiyan in Ifo Local Government Area, deep potholes, erosion, and flooding have turned once-accessible routes into dangerous corridors.

Residents recount multiple fatal accidents linked directly to road conditions, including cases where drivers lost control while navigating muddy, damaged surfaces.

Data from traffic authorities shows the scale of the crisis. In 2024 alone, over 130 people were killed and hundreds were injured in road crashes across the state, with many incidents tied to poor infrastructure and neglected inner roads.

Transporters and traders say the situation has also disrupted economic activity, increasing travel time, transport fares, and vehicle maintenance costs.

₦34bn vehicle spending raises questions over priorities

While road conditions continue to deteriorate, official records show that the state approved and spent more than ₦34.3 billion on vehicles within three years.

In 2024 alone, over ₦17 billion was allocated for the purchase of luxury SUVs, sedans, and utility vehicles for top government officials. By 2025, an additional ₦14.5 billion had been budgeted for similar acquisitions.

Experts say the figure represents a significant opportunity cost. Using standard estimates, the amount could have funded the reconstruction of over 170 kilometres of roads, including several critical routes currently in disrepair.

Public finance analysts argue that such spending reflects a shift toward consumptive assets rather than long-term infrastructure investment, warning that poor roads continue to impose hidden economic and safety costs on residents.

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Government defends record amid criticism

Responding to criticism, Governor Dapo Abiodun has defended his administration’s infrastructure record, insisting that his government has constructed more roads than previous administrations.

He maintained that many of the roads in poor condition were inherited and that his government has prioritised economically strategic routes connecting communities and markets.

Despite the defence, residents and stakeholders insist that the current state of inner roads tells a different story, with many calling for a shift in priorities toward safety-critical infrastructure.

As pressure mounts, the contrast between rising government spending on official vehicles and worsening road conditions continues to fuel debate over governance, accountability, and the real impact of public expenditure in the state.