By Atinuke Smith
I feel deeply sorry for Anthony Joshua, AJ.
This is such a tragic and unfortunate incident, one that could have been avoided.
My heart goes out to him, and I pray for the grace for him to heal, as well as for the families of the departed.
May God comfort them all.
What I struggle to understand is why pointing out obvious failures in Nigeria is often labelled as being unpatriotic.
When tragic events occur, proper appraisal and honest reflection should follow; that is the mark of responsible leadership.
Making excuses or shifting blame helps no one.
Even if we assume the driver was speeding, are there no systems in the 21st century to manage speed limits on our major highways? Why was a truck parked by the roadside? Were caution signs placed for oncoming vehicles?
These are issues that fall squarely within the responsibilities of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC.
The aftermath of the accident was equally disturbing.
I watched a video where FRSC officials were walking around while corpses lay uncovered on the ground, as bystanders freely took photos and videos.
Don’t we have basic first-aid and emergency protocols for handling accident scenes? Why weren’t the bodies covered immediately, even before evacuation vehicles arrived? Where were the paramedics? Where were the ambulances? Why wasn’t there a swift emergency response?
Sadly, this scene is not unusual on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
That road has become a nightmare, constantly clogged with trailers and trucks.
This is where enforcement should be focused.
Too often, we see road safety officials harassing regular commuters instead of addressing the core safety issues they were established to manage.
I also strongly believe that all major highways should be equipped with surveillance cameras to monitor speed limits and improve accountability.
This is achievable and should be a priority for the government.
No one is trying to paint Nigeria in a bad light.
Many of us travel and see how systems and structures work elsewhere, even in African countries that are not considered “giants.”
It is simply wrong for those in leadership to withhold good governance.
With heavier taxes coming in 2026, Nigerians deserve transparency, accountability, and visible improvement.
Let us fix our schools, roads, hospitals, water, and power systems.
Let us build a Nigeria where basic amenities are accessible and functional.
I love this country, and I have never dreamed of living anywhere else.
Let’s do better.
Let’s make Nigeria work for its people. God bless Nigeria!
Atinuke Smith
Dr Tinu Smith is an award-winning Nigerian fashion designer and CEO of Datina Designs Fashion House and Fashion School, with over 30 years’ experience in Ibadan and Lagos.
She is a certified mentor, inspirational speaker, and happily married with two children.
She writes from Ibadan.
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