British-Nigerian boxing star Mr. Anthony Joshuais reportedly considering quitting professional boxing following a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members.
Joshua’s uncle, Mr. Adedamola Joshua, explained that the former world heavyweight champion privately informed his family of the decision after the fatal crash last week.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing,” Adedamola said.
That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally.
“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest.
“All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us, also. Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has made his first social media post since a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members.
Joshua sustained minor injuries in the incident that killed his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, on Monday, December 29, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The 36-year-old boxer, who was discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Eve, returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday.
He made his first public comment since the accident in a post across his social media handle on Sunday.
The image, posted across his social media pages, showed the ex-heavyweight champion offering support and solidarity.
Both Sina and Latz will be laid to rest later on Sunday.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that the driver of the Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle involved in the road traffic accident that affected Nigerian-British boxer, Anthony Joshua, is currently in police custody.
The Command said the the driver was being detained to enable the police carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Mr Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the investigation was aimed at establishing the cause of the accident and determining the level of culpability.
Mr Babaseyi gave an assurance that the investigation would be handled with professionalism and transparency, while appealing to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as the process continues.
It would be recalled that British Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, had survived a fatal car accident in Ogun State, Nigeria, which claimed the lives of two British men travelling with him.
The crash occurred on Monday on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck.
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.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station
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.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the British High Commission, Simon Field, recently visited world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua in the hospital following a deadly road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
A statement issued by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor of Ogun State, on Monday, revealed that Field met with Joshua during his hospital visit.
He also engaged in discussions with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. British officials are closely monitoring the ongoing situation surrounding the tragic incident.
“The British High Commission was formally notified of the accident. Officials of the Mission are monitoring developments and remain in contact with the hospital and the Ogun State Government.
“The Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Simon Field, visited the hospital and met with Anthony Joshua and the two governors. The families of the deceased have also been contacted through the High Commission,” the statement read.
The accident, which took place around midday on Monday, involved a Toyota Lexus SUV carrying Anthony Joshua and three other passengers.
The statement confirmed that two of the vehicle’s occupants lost their lives in the crash. They were identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu, a 36-year-old Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, a 36-year-old British citizen.
In the aftermath of the crash, Governor Dapo Abiodun visited the Lagos hospital where Joshua was receiving treatment and was later joined by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Both governors are said to have stayed at the hospital for several hours to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the boxer received the necessary medical care.
Commenting on the incident, Governor Abiodun stated that he rushed to the hospital as soon as he was informed about the accident and personally oversaw Joshua’s treatment, alongside Governor Sanwo-Olu.
“As soon as I was informed, I headed straight to the hospital and was later joined by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We both took charge of the situation, oversaw Anthony Joshua’s care, and remained at the hospital for over seven hours,” the governor said.
Other senior officials who visited the hospital included the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade.
The Ogun State Government reassured the public that Joshua was in stable condition and receiving the necessary medical care. It also expressed satisfaction with the quality of care provided by the medical team.
“We are comfortable with the doctors and the quality of care at the hospital, and we appreciate the medical team for their professionalism,” Abiodun said.
President Bola Tinubu was also informed about the accident.
According to the state government, the President held separate conversations with Anthony Joshua, his mother, and Governor Abiodun, during which he expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences.
Governor Abiodun shared the President’s words, saying, “This immense tragedy has cast a deep shadow over this season. These are very difficult moments, and we must stand firm, united, and support one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.”
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, with the Ogun State Government assuring the public that details will be released once the probe is completed.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station
The government also assured that updates regarding Joshua’s condition and other developments related to the incident will be communicated to the public as necessary.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun Sector Command, has attributed a road crash that killed two persons and injured Nigerian-British boxer Anthony Joshua to over-speeding and wrongful overtaking.
The Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Akinwunmi Fasakin, said the crash involved five persons.
He said two persons died, one person was injured, while two others escaped unhurt.
Mr. Fasakin said operatives of the Sagamu Unit Command, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, promptly responded to the incident.
He confirmed that Anthony Joshua, who sustained injuries in the crash, was taken to an undisclosed hospital by security operatives attached to him.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station
The FRSC Sector Commander said a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.
He added that the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue.
British Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has survived a fatal car accident in Ogun State, Nigeria, which claimed the lives of two British men travelling with him.
The crash occurred on Monday along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near Sagamu, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck.
Police confirmed that Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries while seated in the rear of the vehicle.
“The vehicle conveying Anthony Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated,” said Ogun State Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi.
“He was seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and [is] receiving medical attention.”
A witness, Adeniyi Orojo, noted that Joshua was travelling with three others when the crash occurred.
“Joshua was seated behind the driver with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash,” he said.
Orojo added that the passenger beside the driver and the person seated next to Joshua died instantly.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the accident to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking.
FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement after the incident on Monday, confirmed that five men were involved, with two fatalities, one injury, and two escaping unhurt.
The remains of the deceased, identified as British nationals, were deposited at Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well parked by the side of the road,” Ogungbemide said.
The Ogun State Government expressed condolences to the bereaved families and sympathy to Joshua. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described the incident as “deeply unfortunate and painful, particularly with the loss of precious lives.”
He added, “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which the State considers a devastating loss. As we mourn collectively, we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also reacted. In a post on his verified X account on Tuesday, Atiku said he was “deeply saddened” by news of the incident, which occurred in the Makun area of the state, and offered prayers for Joshua’s recovery.
“Heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in the accident.”
Joshua, who has family roots in Sagamu, was in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December, a fight he won by sixth-round knockout. The bout marked his return to the ring after a 15-month layoff, with plans already underway for a potential clash with Tyson Fury in 2026.
The accident has prompted renewed warnings from the FRSC to motorists to avoid dangerous overtaking and excessive speed, particularly during the festive season when traffic volumes are at their highest.
The damaged Lexus SUV has been evacuated to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division office, while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Joshua remains under medical observation at an undisclosed hospital, while tributes continue to pour in for the two men who lost their lives in the incident.
Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, is gearing up for a showdown with former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This was announced by Matchroom and Queensberry on Friday night in a post on their X account, with further details to be confirmed next week.
The statement read, “Confirmed: #anthonyjoshua vs #francis_ngannou is signed to take place during #RiyadhSeason 🔥
#Fight date and Kick-off press conference details to be released next week! #JoshuaNgannou.”
A press conference is set for January 15 in London.
While initially slated for a bout with Deontay Wilder on March 9, Joshua’s focus has shifted to Ngannou, who rose in the WBC’s top 10 heavyweight rankings after his debut boxing match.
The upcoming clash follows Joshua’s dominant win over Otto Wallin on December 23, as Saudi Arabia continues to host major heavyweight contests.
