Official statistics have confirmed a sharp increase in road traffic accidents across Nigeria during the second quarter of 2025, with violations of speed limits emerging as the single biggest factor behind the deadly crashes.
NBS Data Reveals Alarming Quarterly Trends
Fresh figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), sourced from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), show that road crashes surged by 9.4 percent in Q2 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of crashes reached 2,631 between April and June 2025, up from 2,404 in Q2 2024. However, this marked a slight decrease of 0.72% from the 2,650 crashes recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
The human cost remained devastatingly high. The data detailed that 1,235 people lost their lives in these incidents, comprising 1,018 males and 217 females. A further 1,728 cases were classified as serious crashes, alongside 636 fatal and 267 minor incidents. In total, 3,806 vehicles were involved in collisions during the quarter.
Primary Causes and Regional Breakdown
An analysis of causative factors placed speed violations at the top of the list. This was closely followed by tyre bursts, brake failures, wrongful overtaking, and dangerous driving. Other significant contributors included distracted driving (use of phones), driver fatigue, influence of alcohol or drugs, poor weather conditions, and violations of traffic light signals.
A regional breakdown of the crashes paints a concerning picture:
- South-West recorded the highest number of crashes at 772.
- North-Central followed with 699 incidents.
- South-South had the least with 160 crashes.
- In terms of casualties (deaths and injuries), the North-West zone reported the highest figure of 2,597, while the South-South recorded the lowest at 442.
Focus on Major Highways and National Campaign
The report highlighted the persistent danger on key corridors like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Between January and March 2025 alone, 73 persons were killed and 393 injured in 175 crashes along that route. A particularly deadly crash around Ayetoro in February claimed nine lives.
Presenting a broader national toll, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, stated that between January and September 2025, a staggering 3,433 people were killed and 22,162 injured in 6,858 crashes nationwide. He identified driver fatigue, overloading, and unsafe practices like transporting fuel in plastic containers as major culprits.
In response, the FRSC launched its 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” Running from December 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the campaign involves deploying personnel on major highways, conducting free vehicle checks, and engaging transport unions. Mohammed expressed hope that these measures, alongside improved driver training and reactivated mobile courts, would curb the tide of accidents.
The grim statistics were underscored by recent tragedies, including a multiple-vehicle accident on the Dutse–Kiyawa Road in Jigawa State on December 30, 2025, which claimed 18 lives. Authorities continue to urge all road users to prioritize safety to prevent further loss of life.
