Systems Transcend Sympathy: The Anthony Joshua Crash

By Remmy Hazzan

On Monday, December 29, 2025, the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway once again lived up to its notorious reputation, making headlines around the world due to an accident involving former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. According to reports from Nigerian authorities and various media outlets, Joshua was driving a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck near the Sagamu/Makun area of the expressway. Tragically, two individuals close to him, identified in international reports as members of his team, lost their lives, while Joshua himself sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for observation. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and police pointed to excessive speed and unsafe overtaking as likely factors that led to the crash with the parked truck.

However, if we view this tragedy as just the mistake of one driver on a single morning, we risk overlooking a more significant issue: this stretch of road is inherently dangerous. The combination of “speeding + wrongful overtaking” may be the spark, but the highway itself is the kindling. A stationary truck on a high-speed road isn’t just an unfortunate sight; it’s a disaster waiting to happen. The Lagos–Ibadan corridor has a troubling history of accidents involving broken-down or parked trucks, with vehicles crashing into them, as frequently reported in local news. When large trailers and trucks stop where they shouldn’t, whether due to breakdowns, fatigue, congestion, or intentional roadside parking, they turn the road into a treacherous obstacle course, where a split-second decision can mean the difference between life and death.

One significant issue we face is the ongoing problem of trucks and trailers parking and resting along the road, particularly near interchanges, gas stations, and informal waiting areas. This isn’t a new concern. In the past, federal authorities have publicly instructed truck drivers to clear certain sections of the expressway, emphasizing that parking on the highway is against regulations and poses risks to everyone on the road. However, without consistent enforcement and viable alternatives, these orders quickly lose their effectiveness. When truck transit parks are poorly managed, unattractive, or simply not enough, drivers tend to stop wherever it’s convenient, visible, and close to their next destination. The outcome is all too familiar: stationary metal barriers on a road designed for movement.

But it’s not just the trucks that are a problem; it’s also the lack of safety infrastructure that should be in place to prevent accidents. On roads like this, safety isn’t just about one solution; it’s a series of interconnected measures: functional shoulders, clear lane discipline, reflective markings, warning signs before hazards, speed-calming designs, adequate lighting at critical points, quick incident response, and strict regulation of roadside activities. When these elements are lacking, human error can turn deadly. If a truck has to stop because of a mechanical issue, the highway should still safeguard other road users with clear visibility rules, proper hazard placement, quick towing services, and designated pull-off areas. When these systems fail to operate reliably, issues like “wrongful overtaking” and “speeding” shift from being rare mistakes to predictable results of a road environment that encourages impatience and punishes errors with severe consequences.

After the initial impact, the second tragedy unfolds: the race against time for medical assistance. In many road accidents across Nigeria, individuals may survive the crash, only to succumb later because help didn’t arrive quickly enough or because the necessary care was too far away. The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway is a prime example of this issue: while emergency care is available, it’s often unevenly distributed and frequently too far from where accidents happen, especially in a corridor known for its high-energy collisions. Some initiatives have been launched, like the FRSC’s plan to set up an emergency (RTC) clinic on the Lagos–Ibadan expressway in 2025, aimed at providing immediate care to victims. Additionally, Lagos State has been working to enhance trauma-response capabilities, including a trauma center located near the Alausa end of the corridor, designed to assist with emergency stabilization. There are also various crash-response and trauma-care projects mentioned along the expressway.

However, recognizing these efforts doesn’t change the harsh reality for road users: this corridor still operates like a place where ambulances aren’t guaranteed, where rescue resources might not be nearby, and where precious minutes can be lost due to confusion, traffic jams, and poor coordination. A modern expressway connecting major urban centers should feature multiple, clearly marked emergency response stations, coordinated dispatch systems, and trauma-ready facilities positioned like “lifelines” along the route, rather than sporadic pockets of assistance. When injured individuals have to travel long distances before receiving proper assessment, scans, stabilization, and surgery, the outcomes can deteriorate, particularly in cases of internal bleeding, head injuries, and multiple traumas.

The Joshua incident, as painful as it is, shouldn’t just be seen as celebrity gossip. It shines a light on a harsh reality faced by everyday Nigerians: when regular folks have accidents on that stretch of road, they encounter the same parked trucks, the same chaotic lane discipline, and the same worries about getting quick medical help. The sad truth is that many Nigerians don’t get the kind of attention that prompts a swift response from authorities or public outcry. In fact, the way the authorities initially described the Joshua crash highlights a troubling trend on our roads; speeding and reckless overtaking often lead to collisions with stationary vehicles, indicating that these dangers are not just occasional but deeply rooted in the system.

So, what needs to change beyond just offering condolences? First off, we need to implement a strict and visible crackdown on trucks parking along the highway, with penalties that are certain and non-negotiable. At the same time, we should create functional truck transit parks and reliable call-up systems that actually work. Next, we need to treat stationary trucks as serious hazards: they should have reflective rear markings, warning triangles, and be towed away quickly, with strict enforcement of these rules. Third, let’s improve the road’s preventive infrastructure: clearer lane markings, better signage at interchanges and high-risk areas, functional lighting where it’s needed, and stronger speed management that includes real enforcement, not just speed limit signs. Finally, we should enhance the “golden hour” for emergencies on the highway: more emergency posts, coordinated dispatch systems, and trauma-ready facilities that can cut down transport time, while also transforming the FRSC clinic model into a network rather than just a single point of intervention.

The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway isn’t just a road; it’s a vital lifeline for commerce, family connections, spiritual journeys, education, and the movement of our nation. When it turns into a scene of tragedy, the country suffers in silence, time and again, often without making the news. The recent deaths of two individuals close to Anthony Joshua, along with the injuries he himself endured, serve as a painful reminder; yet, they could also mark a pivotal moment. If Nigeria only offers sympathy without implementing real changes, we’ll find ourselves stuck in the same cycle: a broken-down truck, a risky attempt to overtake, a catastrophic collision, and then the long, uncertain path to assistance.

ESV Rt Hon Remmy Hazzan, FNIVS, is a Public Affairs Analyst. Wwrites from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]