Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in Nigeria, driven by poor road conditions, weak enforcement, unsafe vehicles, and human error, yet remain largely under-addressed by policymakers.
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) have become one of Nigeria’s deadliest public health crises, causing thousands of deaths annually—more than most diseases. Contributing factors include dilapidated roads, poor vehicle safety standards, weak law enforcement, inadequate driver training, and overreliance on road transport.
Studies show that over 60% of crashes result from human error, while emergency response remains fragmented and insufficient. The economic, psychological, and social impacts are profound, with losses to families and national productivity. Experts stress that RTAs are preventable through stricter enforcement, improved infrastructure, professionalized driver education, better emergency care, and robust public awareness campaigns. “Every life lost on our roads is avoidable,” writes David John Idiong, highlighting that political will is now the critical missing factor.