At least 1,593 Nigerians lost their lives in road traffic crashes during the first quarter of 2025, according to recent figures from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The new data, which covers January to March 2025, shows a troubling increase in fatalities and injuries, even as the total number of crashes slightly decreased compared to the same period last year.
The FRSC reported that 2,650 road crashes occurred nationwide in Q1 2025, representing a marginal 0.9% drop from 2,674 crashes in Q1 2024. However, the death toll jumped by 8.3% from 1,471 to 1,593. Similarly, the number of injured individuals rose from 8,659 to 9,298, an increase of 7.4%. This suggests that although fewer accidents occurred, they were more severe and deadly.
Separate data gathered from national newspapers revealed that major crashes across eight states alone accounted for at least 131 deaths within the first two months of the year. Some of the most tragic incidents included the February 1st crash in Ondo State where 30 people were burned to death after two commercial buses collided and caught fire on the Ore-Lagos Road.
On January 11, 19 people died and 11 others were injured in a crash in Plateau State involving wedding guests. In Kano, a DAF trailer crashed on February 14, killing 23 and injuring 48 others. The FRSC noted that speed and reckless driving were the likely causes.
Kwara State also witnessed tragedy on January 22 when a collision involving a trailer and a mini-truck claimed 18 lives in the Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin. In Lokoja, Kogi State, two separate accidents in January and February killed a total of 12 people, including six university students.
In Katsina State, a trailer carrying cows and passengers overturned in Dankama, leaving nine people dead and 21 injured. Authorities believe the driver lost control while trying to avoid an obstacle. In Gombe State, a January 2 accident involving a trailer suspected to have brake failure led to the deaths of seven passengers.
The FRSC 2023 annual report notes that buses, articulated trucks, and trailers are most commonly involved in fatal accidents. This pattern remains consistent with the 2025 incidents. Most of the crashes involved overloaded vehicles, speed violations, and unsafe driving behaviors such as driving against traffic and wrongful overtaking.
“Excessive speed has been a major factor in many of the crashes,” the FRSC said. The agency added that mechanical faults like brake failure and overloading of goods and passengers also continue to pose risks on the highways.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria ranks highest in Africa for road accident deaths, with an estimated 41,693 fatalities. The WHO also says over 1.3 million people die annually worldwide from road crashes, with vulnerable road users—such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists—making up more than half of the deaths.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) adds that causes like tyre bursts, poor road conditions, and traffic violations also contribute to the rising death toll on Nigerian roads.
The FRSC urges all motorists to obey traffic regulations and maintain their vehicles to avoid further loss of lives. Sector commanders across affected states have called for stronger enforcement and public awareness campaigns to tackle the crisis.
