By Marvellous Nyang
December 29, 2025
Anthony Joshua, British-Nigerian former two time unified world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, is in a stable condition in hospital in Lagos after being involved in a serious road traffic accident on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
The vehicle in which Joshua and three others were travelling on Monday, December 29, 2025, collided with a stationary truck near Makun, according to statements issued by the governments of Lagos and Ogun States.
Two of the occupants died at the scene and their remains have been deposited at Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.
Medical officials confirm that Joshua, who was seated in the rear of the Lexus SUV, and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos for treatment.
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Comprehensive clinical assessments indicate he is conscious, stable, and does not require emergency medical intervention, while doctors continue to monitor his condition closely.
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps has said preliminary investigations indicate that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking by the driver contributed to the crash when the vehicle lost control and collided with the truck.
Five adults were involved in the collision, with two fatalities and several survivors.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke by phone with Joshua and his mother to offer condolences and prayers following the tragic accident, according to an official statement from the State House.
The president expressed sympathy over the loss of Joshua’s associates, acknowledged the boxer’s contribution as a source of national pride, and prayed for his full recovery.
Tinubu also spoke with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital and assured that Joshua would receive the best possible care.
The two people killed in the accident were close members of Joshua’s team, identified by multiple sources as Sina Ghami, a strength coach, and Latif Ayodele, a trainer, whose deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief from the boxing community and Nigerian officials.
The accident occurred shortly after Joshua’s high profile victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19, a bout that had reignited global interest in his career and speculation about future matchups in the heavyweight division.
Jake Paul offered public support, noting that “life is much more important than boxing” and extended prayers for all affected by the crash.
Investigations by the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division and the Federal Road Safety Corps remain ongoing to fully determine the circumstances of the collision along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.
Further updates are expected as authorities and Joshua’s management release additional details about the accident, the condition of survivors, and the response from international sporting bodies.
