This study assessed the impact of rural road networks on the patronage of rural periodic markets in Lafia Local Government Area (LGA), Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study specifically evaluated the impacts of rural road networks on market patronage and examined how improvements in rural roads influence traders’ and consumers’ participation in periodic markets. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with data collected from traders and consumers in selected rural periodic markets. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered, of which 340 were retrieved and found valid for analysis. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while field observations and interviews were used to complement the survey findings. The findings revealed that 50% of respondents patronized the markets weekly, while 24% patronized them every two weeks. Reduced transportation cost (45%) was the major perceived impact of rural road networks, followed by increased market size (21%), improved livelihood opportunities (18%) and increased economic growth (16%). The findings further showed that improved rural roads positively influenced traders’ and consumers’ participation, with agreement ranging from 76% to 94% across the indicators. The strongest influence was increased quantity of goods brought to the markets (94%), followed by easier consumer access (93%) and reduced transportation costs (92%). The study concludes that improved rural road networks enhance the patronage and participation of traders and consumers in rural periodic markets. It recommends the regular rehabilitation and maintenance of rural roads connecting communities to periodic markets and the integration of road improvement with market infrastructure development.

Keywords: Consumers, Market Accessibility, Periodic Markets, Rural Roads, and Traders.