Why I Hate Night Trips

“Na God dey protect.” That was banker Dom Thomas’s answer when I asked why he chooses to travel at night. I was surprised, and it left me wondering why many travelers still ignore the Federal Road Safety Corps’ warnings against night trips.

I dislike night travel, whether it involves a long-distance journey or a trip within the city. Yet road travel in Nigeria brings together economic necessity, cultural practice and survival instinct. For millions of people, traveling between cities after dark is tied to commerce, family responsibilities and the links between urban and rural communities.

Traders may leave at night so they can reach markets before trading begins. Families often depart after work or school. Commercial bus operators run night routes to keep their vehicles in use, while some long-distance travelers try to avoid the intense daytime heat. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and routes linking the southern and northern regions carry thousands of vehicles through the darkness every night.

The risks increase where roads and lighting are inadequate. Although the government has made infrastructure a priority and some major highways have improved, many secondary and tertiary roads still have potholes, worn asphalt and poor markings. Highway lighting remains sparse and inconsistent, leaving drivers dependent on their headlights. The article adds that these conditions become particularly dangerous during the harmattan season, when dust reduces visibility.

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Na God dey protect.