•73 deaths in three months, 11,396 involved in 1,557 crashes in 27 months
• Experts blame overspeeding, auto maintenance costs, urge return of toll gates

With 73 deaths recorded in three months and 645 in 27 months, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has become the most dangerous road to drive on in Nigeria, despite its relatively good condition.

Within that period, 3,964 people sustained injuries on the 127.6-kilometre expressway, which cuts across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states. The road, reconstructed by Julius Berger and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), is regarded as the busiest interstate highway in the country and serves as a major link between the northern, southern, and eastern regions.

Data from a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) report revealed that 11,396 people were involved in 1,557 crashes recorded on the highway over the 27-month period. Of these, 1,271 people were involved in 175 crashes recorded in the first quarter of 2025.

January 2025 saw the highest number of crashes, while February recorded the highest number of fatalities. Notable accidents during this period include a fatal crash near Ayetoro, which claimed nine lives in February; a lone accident at Fatgbems Bus Stop that killed five people in January; and the death of four individuals in an accident at Alapako in March.

In January 2025, 21 people died in crashes, 30 died in February (the highest within the quarter), and 22 died in March. In terms of injuries, there were 155 victims in January, 96 in February, and 142 in March.

Overall, 175 road traffic crashes occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in 393 injuries and 73 deaths. A total of 1,271 people were involved in accidents on the expressway between January and March 2025.

Across the country, at least 1,593 Nigerians lost their lives in road traffic crashes during the first quarter of 2025, according to the FRSC. Despite a slight decrease in the number of crashes, there was a troubling rise in both fatalities and injuries.

The FRSC reported a total of 2,650 road traffic crashes nationwide between January and March 2025, representing a 0.9 per cent decrease from the 2,674 crashes recorded during the same period in 2024.

A regional analysis of fatalities in the first quarter shows that the South-West recorded the highest number, with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway accounting for 73 deaths, in addition to a single devastating crash in Ondo State that claimed 30 lives.

The North-Central zone followed with 48 deaths from accidents in Plateau and Kwara states. The North-West recorded 32 deaths, including 23 in Kano and nine in Katsina, while the North-East recorded seven deaths in Gombe State.

However, the number of people killed surged by 8.3 per cent, from 1,471 in the first quarter of 2024 to 1,593 in the same period of 2025. Similarly, the number of injured persons rose by 7.4 per cent, with 9,298 injuries recorded in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 8,659 in the corresponding period of 2024.

Africa has the highest road accident death rates globally, with Nigeria leading African countries in traffic-related fatalities, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO estimates that over 1.3 million people die yearly from traffic accidents worldwide, with more than half of these deaths occurring among vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

The organisation also estimates that 41,693 deaths on Nigerian roads account for 2.82 per cent of the global total. Similarly, the World Bank ranks Nigeria 54th globally in the number of road accidents, while the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributes causes such as tyre bursts, route violations, and poor road conditions to traffic crashes in the country.

Experts in road construction and traffic management, however, have identified overspeeding, rising vehicle maintenance costs due to economic pressures, and poor awareness among motorists as key reasons for the recent spike in road crashes and fatalities along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Dr Ombugadu Garba, a civil engineer and former chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Apapa Branch, described Nigeria as “sometimes an irony.”

“Whenever the road is smooth, you will see the rate at which people overspeed. So, overspeeding is one of the challenges causing the increase in the rate of accidents in the axis,” he explained.

He also pointed to the high volume of traffic on the route, noting that many motorists use the expressway daily. Garba added that some drivers travelling long distances suffer from exhaustion, which significantly increases the likelihood of accidents, especially among articulated vehicle operators.

Additionally, the use of psychotropic substances by some drivers to combat fatigue contributes to the rising number of accidents. “Another reason is the security situation. Somehow, everybody is skeptical about the environment now. So, people always want to speed up to make sure that nothing happens. Even though we do not have recent security challenges, there is still a palpable fear among the people. Lack of adequate maintenance of vehicles, especially with the high cost of spare parts, is also an issue,” Garba added.

To address these problems, he emphasised the need for more road safety education for drivers and increased visibility of government agencies, such as the FRSC and the police, along the corridor. He also suggested that the government implement policies to encourage proper vehicle maintenance and make services more affordable.

Olusegun Ogungbemide, FRSC spokesperson and Corps Public Education Officer, identified overspeeding as the major cause of the spike in road crashes on the axis, often leading to loss of control.

He explained the link between road conditions and driving behaviour, noting that when roads are in poor condition, drivers tend to be more cautious, resulting in fewer fatalities compared to when roads are in good condition and drivers overspeed.

Ogungbemide highlighted the reintroduction of speed control measures on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to enforce speed limits and improve safety. He stressed the importance of monitoring commercial vehicles, which are often involved in more severe accidents caused by overspeeding.

On articulated vehicles, he said the focus is on ensuring they meet minimum safety standards before loading to prevent breakdowns and accidents on the highway.

Ogungbemide also mentioned the potential role of toll gates in regulating speed and improving safety by providing opportunities for enforcement.

“Overall, efforts are being made to address the root cause of road crashes and fatalities on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through a combination of awareness, enforcement, and safety measures,” he added.
Photo: Multiple accident scene kk. Caption: Multiple accident scene opposite SGR Filling Station along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday