Nigeria's road accident toll hits 1,374 in Q4 2025 as crashes surge by 12.2%

Road traffic crashes in Nigeria surged in the fourth quarter of 2025, claiming 1,374 lives and injuring 8,726 people amid a 12.2 per cent rise in incidents to 2,731 nationwide, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The statistics office said the figure represents a 12.20 per cent rise compared with the 2,434 crashes recorded in the third quarter of 2025. It also showed a 6.72 per cent increase relative to the 2,559 crashes reported in the corresponding period of 2024.

A breakdown of the crashes by severity shows that serious cases accounted for the largest share during the quarter, with 1,775 incidents. Fatal crashes followed with 677 cases, while minor crashes accounted for the least with 279 cases.

The NBS report did not pinpoint causes, but experts cite speeding—responsible for 40 per cent of cases—reckless overtaking, and pothole-riddled roads as perennial culprits.

The fourth-quarter rise aligns with year-end travel rushes, poor vehicle maintenance, and fatigue among long-haul drivers.

Nigeria recorded 10,446 road crashes and 5,289 deaths in 2025, according to Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) data released in early 2026.

In 2024, the figures stood at 9,570 crashes and 5,421 deaths. This quarter’s 1,374 deaths push Nigeria’s 2025 road toll toward 5,000—eclipsing 2024’s full-year 4,200 fatalities.

Globally, the World Health Organisation ranks Nigeria among the deadliest for road deaths, with 22.4 per 100,000 people affected annually.

The data further revealed a gender disparity in road crash fatalities during the period. A total of 1,085 males lost their lives, representing 78.97 per cent of total fatalities. In comparison, 289 females were killed, accounting for 21.03 per cent.

Similarly, males accounted for the majority of persons injured in road crashes. According to the report, 6,561 males sustained injuries, representing 75.19 per cent of the total. By contrast, 2,165 females were injured, accounting for 24.81 per cent.

The number of vehicles involved in road traffic accidents also increased during the period, with 4,059 vehicles recorded—a 9.41 per cent rise from 3,710 in the third quarter.

The NBS also provided a zonal analysis of road traffic crashes. The South-West zone recorded the highest number of crashes with 763 cases. The North-Central zone followed with 744 cases. By contrast, the South-South zone recorded the lowest with 152 cases.

In terms of casualties—deaths plus injuries—North-Central led with 2,649, followed by North-West with 2,497. South-South had the least at 420.

The latest figures highlight persistent road safety challenges in Nigeria despite ongoing efforts by authorities.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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