Tinubu Mourns 21 Kano Athletes Killed in Tragic Road Accident After Sports Festival
Abuja, May 31, 2025 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the tragic death of 21 Kano athletes involved in a fatal road accident while returning from the 2025 National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the loss as a “devastating blow to the nation”, especially coming on the heels of a unifying national sporting event.
“This tragedy casts a shadow over the National Sports Festival — a celebration of unity, talent, and excellence,” the statement read.
A Nation in Mourning
The President extended heartfelt condolences to:
- The government and people of Kano State
- The bereaved families
- The entire Nigerian sports community
He praised the fallen athletes for their dedication and national spirit, emphasizing that they represented the resilient values of Nigeria’s youth and sports culture.
Commitment to Transport Safety
President Tinubu also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to ensuring better transportation safety standards, promising to take concrete steps to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
“The greatest honour we can accord them is to act — to prevent such tragedies and improve the safety of transport systems across the country,” Tinubu stated.
Prayer and Reflection
Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of the victims’ souls and asked God Almighty to comfort the grieving families, encouraging national reflection on the importance of lives lost in service to the nation’s unity and pride.
