Trending 
The Nigerian Red Cross Society has raised alarm over the country’s high rate of road traffic accidents, stating that 200,000 Nigerians lose their lives each year in crashes.
This figure represents 10 per cent of the two million global road accident deaths recorded annually, according to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, disclosed this during the launch of the Safe Steps Road Safety Campaign. He highlighted that road traffic injuries are the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, with Nigeria accounting for a significant portion of global fatalities.
Adeaga pointed out that many road accidents in Nigeria go unreported, with actual figures likely exceeding reported cases by more than 500 per cent. He emphasised the urgent need for improved safety measures to address the crisis, noting that the Safe Steps Road Safety Campaign aims to tackle this growing concern.
“Now this figure accounts for just reported road accidents. Estimates claim road accidents are often underreported in Nigeria, exceeding 500 per cent of the reported numbers.
“The Safe Steps Road Safety Campaign emerges at a critical time when Nigeria grapples with one of the highest road traffic accident rates in the world.
“This worrying statistic highlights the urgent need for comprehensive road safety measures. Recognising this pressing issue, the Nigerian Red Cross Society has partnered with government agencies, law enforcement, transport unions and private sector entities to address the multifaceted challenges of road safety,” he said.
The campaign, first launched in December 2024 in Abuja, brings together key stakeholders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and private sector partners. Its goal is to reduce road traffic incidents and promote responsible driving across the country.
Afolabi Lawal, a representative of Zenith Prudence Foundation, also noted that Africa records the highest annual road fatality rate despite having a smaller number of vehicles compared to other regions. He stressed that despite ongoing efforts by WHO, the Ministry of Transport, and FRSC, road accidents remain a serious public health issue, contributing to 1.35 million deaths globally each year.
