NIGERIAN President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally telephoned British boxing champion Anthony Joshua in the hospital on Monday following a devastating car crash that killed two of the athlete’s associates and left the former heavyweight champion injured.
“I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital,” President Tinubu said in a statement released by his office.
The president, who is currently abroad, also reached out to Joshua’s mother to offer comfort. “I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call,” Tinubu said.
The outreach from Nigeria’s head of state came hours after the 36-year-old boxer narrowly escaped death when the Lexus SUV he was travelling in crashed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State around 11 a.m. Monday.
Governor at Bedside as President Monitors Situation
President Tinubu said he also contacted Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital with Joshua and his family. “The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention,” the president said.
In an earlier statement posted on X, Tinubu expressed profound sympathy for the boxer and his family, praising Joshua’s character and his connection to Nigeria.
“I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride,” the president wrote.
“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny. I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”
The statement was released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Two Foreign Nationals Killed in Crash
The two victims, described by the Ogun State Government as “male foreign nationals,” died at the scene when the SUV collided with a truck parked on the shoulder of the notorious 80-mile expressway. One victim was seated directly next to Joshua in the back seat. Their remains have been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.
Horrifying images released by Nigerian authorities showed the completely destroyed vehicle, with its doors ripped off and its roof crushed. Footage posted online showed a dazed and shirtless Joshua sitting among shattered glass immediately after the crash.
Joshua and the driver were rescued by security personnel and transported to a local private hospital. A friend of the boxer said, “he’s okay, but badly shaken up.”
Conflicting Accounts of Cause
Authorities have provided conflicting explanations for the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps said the SUV was believed to be travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit” and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre.
However, Ogun State Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo told ESPN that “the accident happened as a result of a burst tyre on AJ’s vehicle, which caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle to swerve into the stationary truck parked along the road.”
The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is one of Nigeria’s most dangerous routes, claiming 73 lives in the last three months and 645 deaths over 27 months.
Holiday Visit Turns Tragic
Joshua, whose parents are both Nigerian, was on holiday visiting family when the accident occurred. The boxer has family roots in Sagamu and bears a tattoo of Africa on his right shoulder.
A relative who asked not to be named told the BBC they were in “shock” upon hearing the news. “We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away – I pray for the departed to rest in peace,” they said.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, told the Daily Mail: “We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is, but thankfully he appears okay from what I have seen in the images. We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.”
A British Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are urgently investigating reports of a road incident in Nigeria involving at least one British national and stand ready to offer consular assistance, if requested. Our thoughts are with those affected and their families.”
The Ogun State Government expressed “profound condolences to the families, friends, and associates of the victims,” describing the incident as “deeply unfortunate and painful, particularly with the loss of precious lives.”
Police are continuing to investigate the crash, with the damaged SUV taken to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division office for examination.
