Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has miraculously survived a horrific road traffic accident on one of Nigeria's most dangerous highways, an incident which claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
The Fatal Collision on a Notorious Route
The 36-year-old British boxer was involved in the crash on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun. The Lexus SUV he was travelling in smashed into a stationary truck. Joshua was rushed to hospital following the impact, while his long-term friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, were pronounced dead at the scene. They were sitting just inches away from him at the time of the collision.
This stretch of road has a grim reputation. Official statistics reveal a shocking toll: 73 people lost their lives on this 127.6km expressway in just three months earlier this year. Over a broader 27-month period, the figures are even more staggering, with 11,396 people involved in 1,557 crashes, leading to 645 fatalities and 3,964 injuries.
A National Crisis in Road Safety
The accident highlights a profound national crisis. At least 1,593 people died on Nigerian roads in the first quarter of 2025 alone – a figure just nine shy of the total number of UK road fatalities for the entire year of 2024.
Paradoxically, The Guardian Nigeria reports the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is considered in good condition. The primary causes of accidents are cited as overspeeding and poor vehicle maintenance due to high costs. Other perils include animals roaming the carriageway, deep potholes, and risky overtaking manoeuvres. There is also little effective police monitoring, with individuals posing as officials often seeking bribes.
Ogun State Police Commissioner CP Lanre Ogunlowo confirmed the SUV was believed to be speeding and lost control during an overtake before hitting the parked truck. A source indicated a tyre burst may have been a factor.
Joshua's Condition and Future in Doubt
While Nigerian authorities initially downplayed his injuries, Joshua was taken to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, named Nigeria's best private hospital for the past two years. He is receiving care in a VIP Royal Suite, with 24-hour one-to-one attention.
His team confirmed he is 'awake and conscious' and in a stable condition, but the full extent of his physical injuries remains unclear. Sources have suggested possible rib and knee injuries. More significantly, there are serious questions about the psychological trauma of an ordeal that killed two of his best friends right beside him.
This has led to speculation that the boxer, who was in Nigeria on a holiday visiting family before planned training for a late March bout, may consider retirement. His proposed mega-fight against Tyson Fury, tentatively scheduled for September or October, is now in serious jeopardy.
Joshua's representative issued a statement confirming the deaths of Ghami and Ayodele, describing them as 'close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team,' and requested privacy for the grieving families.
