By Taiwo Fatola
Reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveal that 70,091 Nigerians were involved in 10,604 road crashes across the country in 2023. These accidents resulted in 5,081 deaths and left 31,873 others injured, averaging about 101 casualties daily.
Road transportation is Nigeria’s dominant mode of transit, handling around 90 percent of passenger and freight movement. According to the United Nations, Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, has the highest road accident death rate globally, 27 per 100,000 people.
The 2023 accident data from the NBS and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) support these findings, confirming that road accident casualties remain alarmingly high in Nigeria.
These accidents vary in severity, from minor to fatal. Of the 10,604 crashes recorded in 2023, 1,041 were minor, 6,911 were classified as serious, and 2,652 were fatal.
The North Central region experienced the highest number of crashes, with 3,738 cases, more than one-third of the national total. The South-West recorded 2,723 cases, while the North-West and North-East had 1,769 and 1,269 cases, respectively.
The South-East and South-South regions recorded significantly fewer accidents, with 563 and 542 cases, representing 5.3 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.
The data also revealed that males were disproportionately affected, accounting for 76.5 percent of the injured and 81.7 percent of the fatalities. Children were not spared, with 342 deaths and 1,816 injuries reported among minors.
Road accidents are a significant contributor to physical disabilities in Nigeria. Studies show that 29.1 percent of accident victims suffer permanent disabilities, while 13.5 percent are unable to return to work.
Commercial vehicles and motorcycles topped the list of vehicles involved in crashes. Of the 16,276 vehicles affected, 11,024 (or two-thirds) were commercial vehicles, while 5,054 were private cars. Even government and diplomatic vehicles were involved, with 194 government vehicles and 4 diplomatic vehicles recorded in the crashes. Motorcycles closely followed cars, accounting for 21.1 percent of the accidents, while minibuses and trucks were involved in 18.3 percent and 11.6 percent of cases, respectively.
The high involvement of motorcycles in accidents has prompted some state governments to ban their use. It is crucial for both federal and state ministries of transportation to sensitize commercial drivers on the dangers of speeding and traffic violations, as these drivers are often involved in accidents.
Speed limit violations were the leading cause of accidents, accounting for 58 percent of the crashes. Violations of traffic signs and lights followed, contributing to 8.06 percent of accidents. According to the World Health Organization’s 2023 Africa Region road safety report, Nigeria’s speed limit laws meet best practices, but proper enforcement remains crucial to reducing accidents caused by speeding. Speed breakers should be installed on accident-prone roads, and drivers should undergo proper training on traffic signs when obtaining or renewing their licenses.
“Uncompleted road killed my friend” – Accident victim
Joseph Adeyemo recounted his tragic November 2023 accident in Osogbo, where his friend lost his life. “We were coming from the stadium through Ona Baba Ona to Oke-Baale when we had a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. The second lane of the road hadn’t been completed, so everyone had to use a single lane,” he explained, attributing the crash to the unfinished road, which forced traffic from both directions onto one lane. Joseph’s friend died in the accident, and he himself suffered a broken leg. “Passersby helped us, and an ambulance was called, but my friend didn’t make it,” he said. Joseph called on the state government to complete the long-overdue road project to prevent further accidents in the area.
Devil not responsible for road crashes – FRSC
During a recent visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Bauchi State secretariat, FRSC Bauchi Sector Commander Istifanus Ibrahim emphasized that the devil is not to blame for road crashes. He attributed accidents to reckless driving and traffic violations and urged journalists to educate the public on the real causes of accidents, dispelling the myth that the devil is responsible. Ibrahim highlighted the FRSC’s efforts to promote road safety and called on commuters to speak out against reckless driving and overloading to protect themselves.
See Data visualization below
