By Deborah Nnamdi
Nigeria has been ranked among the countries with the highest road traffic deaths in Africa, with 21.4 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023.
The statistic was highlighted on Tuesday in Abuja during a joint press briefing by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation. Both organisations also announced plans to establish a trauma centre for families of crash victims.
The briefing further unveiled preparations for the maiden International Road Crash Victims’ African Conference (IRCVAC) 2025, slated for November to coincide with KRSD’s 14th anniversary.
Founder of KRSD, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said the conference, themed “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims,” will be the first African forum dedicated to crash victims and their families.
Dongban-Mensem, who established the foundation in 2011 after losing her son in a crash, stressed that Nigeria’s road safety crisis requires urgent action.
Quoting the WHO report, she said: “Nigeria has one of the highest road traffic death rates in Africa and the world, at 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population. This is not just a statistic—it means thousands of families are devastated every year. The figure is significantly higher than both the global and African averages.”
She cited FRSC data showing that speeding and loss of control account for more than half of crashes nationwide. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 5,081 crashes occurred in the first three months of 2023 alone, resulting in 2,466 deaths and over 15,000 injuries. FRSC records also revealed 2,733 crashes, 1,624 deaths, and more than 8,000 injuries in the first quarter of 2024.
“The report underscores Nigeria’s need for a stronger national strategy targeting critical risk factors such as speeding, drunk driving, and non-use of seatbelts and helmets,” she added. “IRCVAC 2025 is not just an event but a platform for victims and their families. It is about ensuring their experiences shape solutions and their voices drive advocacy.”
FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, also addressed the briefing, noting that road crashes claim about 1.2 million lives globally each year, with women and children often bearing the greatest physical and emotional impact.
He disclosed that the Corps, in collaboration with KRSD and other partners, is working to establish a national trauma centre to provide medical and psychosocial support for survivors and bereaved families.
As part of activities leading to the November conference, organisers announced symbolic awareness events, including a cycling rally, walking exercise, and golf tournament, aimed at promoting safer mobility across the country.
