• Say 1,347 die from road crashes in Q1 2026

The federal government and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have expressed concern over the rising toll from road traffic crashes, as 1,347 people lost their lives in 2,720 recorded crashes nationwide in the first quarter of 2026.

This was disclosed during the stakeholder engagement and the commencement of an advocacy campaign on the importance of a vehicle first aid kit, organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with RTEAN.

Coming under the theme, “Promoting Road Safety through the Adoption and Effective Use of Vehicle First Aid Kits,” the campaign is aimed at reducing preventable deaths in line with the United Nations global decade of action in road safety (2021-2030).

Speaking at the event, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufunso Adebiyi, noted that while road crashes remain a major public life challenge, many of the resulting deaths could be prevented through prompt first aid administered in the critical minutes before emergency responders arrive.

He described vehicle first aid kits as life-saving tools rather than optional accessories, stating: “A vehicle first aid kit is not a luxury item; it is an emergency tool. When properly stocked and properly used, it gives citizens the ability to do extraordinary things in those critical first minutes after a crash.”

According to Adebiyi, official records show that 9,570 road crashes claimed 5,421 lives in 2024, while 10,446 crashes were recorded in 2025, representing a 9.2 per cent increase over the previous year.

He added that though fatalities dropped marginally to 5,289 in 2025, the 1,347 deaths recorded between January and March 2026 indicate that road crashes remain a serious national concern.

Adebiyi attributed the high number of crashes largely to speed violations, saying they account for nearly half of all recorded accidents. He listed the others to include tyre burst, brake failure, poor road conditions, overloading, driver fatigue and distracted driving.

In a further breakdown of statistics, he disclosed that commercial vehicles account for about 70 to 72 per cent of road crashes, while adult males constitute over 75 per cent of crash victims.

The permanent secretary also identified the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene Expressway, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Benin-Ore-Sagamu highway and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) corridor among Nigeria’s most dangerous roads.

Meanwhile, RTEAN President, Dr Musa Maitakobi, said the campaign was a major step toward strengthening emergency response to road crashes, noting that the first few minutes of an accident, often referred to as the “golden period,” frequently determine whether victims can survive or die.

Maitakobi, who was represented by the union’s Deputy National President, Administration, Muhammad Bishara, noted that while first aid kits cannot prevent crashes, they can significantly reduce deaths by helping to control bleeding, stabilise injured persons and provide immediate care before professional medical assistance arrives.

He called for nationwide awareness campaigns, training for commercial drivers and fleet operators, development of national standards for vehicle first aid kits, and stronger collaboration among government agencies, transport unions and emergency responders.

For the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the advocacy campaign aligns with the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 per cent.