<p>Road pavement failures pose a significant challenge to transportation infrastructure in Southeastern Nigeria, where geotechnical, environmental, construction-related, and socio-economic factors interact to accelerate deterioration. Addressing a critical gap in the literature—namely, the lack of integrated geotechnical-climatic assessments tailored to the region’s unique tropical conditions and subgrade quality spatial variability—this study critically reviews pavement failure types and causes across five selected major highways in Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Niger Delta routes. A multidisciplinary approach was employed, including field surveys, geotechnical testing, expert interviews, and traffic analyses. Predominant failure modes identified include rutting, cracking, and potholes, driven by poor subgrade conditions, inadequate drainage, substandard materials, and excessive axle loads, with intense rainfall and insufficient maintenance funding further exacerbating these issues. Synthesis of findings revealed that geotechnical failures predominate in upland areas, while climatic factors prevail in delta regions, often compounded by overloading. The key contribution is the development of a novel GIS-based conceptual framework that integrates soil tests (CBR, Atterberg limits), climate data, and socio-economic indicators to produce risk maps and targeted recommendations (e.g., geogrid reinforcement in high-clay zones). The framework offers a conceptual approach for improved failure forecasting and maintenance cost reduction; quantification of benefits (e.g., 20–30% forecasting improvement, 15% cost reduction) requires empirical validation with larger, independent datasets through longitudinal field monitoring. The study recommends stricter regulatory enforcement, climate-resilient design, longitudinal monitoring, and advanced geotechnical techniques, with further research proposed on long-term climate change impacts and socio-economic dynamics to support resilient infrastructure planning.</p>