By Boma Nwuke
In recent years,a series of tragic stampedes have rocked the Nigerian nation, claiming numerous lives in events such as aid distribution,religious gatherings, and political rallies. These heartbreaking incidents have become all too familiar, raising critical questions about the state of the nation. At the heart of this crisis is the question: Do these tragedies reflect mere mismanagement, or are they symptomatic of a much deeper problem—systemic failure of the Nigerian State flagged by the growing sense of insecurity, economic hardship, and a breakdown in public services.
The Deadly Stampedes :
Overview:
The most recent stampedes occurred at 2024 Christmas charity events across three geopolitical zones in Nigeria – South West, North Central and South East resulting in the tragic deaths of no fewer than 67 people, including many children.
These incidents strongly bring to the fore, the severe economic challenges and vulnerability of many Nigerianns.
Notable Tragedies
:On December 18, 2024, a stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital led to the deaths of 35 children.
On December 21, 2024, no fewer than 10 persons including four children lost their lives in a stampede during a palliative distribution at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitaima in Abuja.
On the same day, 22 people lost their lives during a stampede at a charity event in Okija, Anambra state. The event was organized by a philanthropist identified as Obi Jackson.
Previous Incidents :
On May 28, 2022, an annual charity event in Port Harcourt,”Shop for Free ” organised by the Kings Assembly Pentecostal Church at the Polo club, led to stampede killing 31 people. Incidents like this highlight the dangers of poor planning in high-demand scenarios.
Political Phenomenon:
In February 2011, a stampede at the Peoples Democratic Party PDP( South South) Presidential Campaign at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt claimed the lives of 11 people . The surge in crowd and closure of exit points by the organisers largely contributed to the tragic stampede.
Recruitment Tragedies:
The 2014 Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise, which saw thousands of applicants in stadiums without proper planning, led to deaths from stampedes.
Causes of Stampedes in Nigeria
Overcrowding: Findings show that most stampedes occurred in venues exceeding capacities due to lack of planning or control mechanisms.
Poor Event Management: Failure to enforce orderly queues, provide exits, or control inflows.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Venues often lack proper emergency exits and evacuation plans.
Panic Triggers: Sudden sounds, rumors, or misinformation in crowds create chaos.
Socioeconomic Pressures: Poverty and unemployment push people to desperate measures, leading to overcrowding at aid distribution or recruitment events
Indiscipline;A Root Cause
Indiscipline refers to a lack of control, order, or adherence to established rules and standards. In Nigeria, this issue manifests across various sectors, contributing to systemic challenges in governance, education, and public behavior.
Manifestations of Indiscipline:
Disregard for Rules and Protocols:
In public events, people often ignore guidelines, leading to overcrowding and chaos.
Poor crowd control during events like distributions of aid, such as Christmas parties, religious gatherings, or recruitment drives often spirals into dangerous situations.
Lack of Accountability:
Institutions organizing public gatherings rarely prioritize safety protocols, including crowd management and emergency preparedness.
Cultural and Social Pressures:
The harsh economic environment has created a jungle mentality “survival of the fittest”where only the strongest can succeed. This fosters reckless competition, especially during resource distribution or opportunities for jobs and scholarships.
Nigeria’s ” myriad of struggles”: A major cause :
Nigeria’s inability to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens underscores the larger governance failures that plague the country. The recurring stampedes are not isolated events but grim reminders of a state struggling to fulfill its fundamental responsibilities, leaving its people vulnerable to preventable disasters.
Security Issues: The rising wave of violence and insecurity—manifested in insurgencies, kidnappings, banditry, and ethnic conflicts—has undermined public trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens. The country’s security forces, often overwhelmed and underfunded, are struggling to maintain control in many regions. These security lapses have led to an environment where public gatherings become potential hotspots for chaos.
Corruption and Governance Failures: Despite vast natural resources and economic potential, Nigeria continues to suffer from pervasive corruption at all levels of government. Funds allocated for critical infrastructure and public welfare often vanish due to mismanagement or embezzlement. This results in a lack of essential services—such as healthcare, education, and proper disaster management—that could prevent or mitigate events like stampedes
Economic Hardship: Nigeria’s economic instability, with soaring unemployment rates and increasing poverty, has led many citizens to seek out scarce opportunities at any cost. In such a climate, large crowds often form at events with the promise of financial gain, food distribution, or social mobility. Unfortunately, without adequate planning and crowd control measures, these events can quickly spiral into disaster.
Infrastructural Deficiencies: Poor urban planning, inadequate transport systems, and the lack of emergency services contribute to the frequency and severity of public disasters. Public spaces are often overcrowded and ill-equipped to handle the masses that gather, leading to tragic stampedes and preventable loss of life
These ongoing challenges, which have not been adequately addressed by successive governments, underscore the growing concerns about Nigeria’s state capacity. The recurring incidents of stampedes, along with other public crises, highlight the urgent need for reform and a reevaluation of the nation’s priorities.
In addition,the absence of key indices of good governance stifle economic growth,breeds hardships, uncertainty, and avoidable fatalities as the incidents of the tragic stampedes showed.
Good governance is the backbone of a stable, prosperous, and equitable society. It involves systems, processes, and institutions that prioritize transparency, accountability, efficiency, equity, and the rule of law.
Key elements of good governance and how their absence contributes to issues like stampedes, insecurity, and broader societal challenges.
Participation
Good governance requires inclusive participation from all segments of society. Effective channels for citizen input ensure that government decisions reflect the people’s needs.
Accountability:
Government officials and institutions must be answerable for their actions. Mechanisms for holding leaders accountable are vital for fostering trust and deterring corruption.
Transparency:
Information about government decisions and activities must be readily available and accessible to the public. Access to accurate and timely information allows citizens to understand government operations and decision-making processes.
Rule of Law:
A strong and fair legal framework ensures justice and security for all, protecting citizens from abuse and creating an environment conducive to development.
Efficiency and Effectiveness:
Public resources must be managed prudently to deliver services effectively. Waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency undermine governance.
Equity and Inclusiveness:
Good governance addresses the needs of all, particularly marginalized groups, to ensure no one is left behind.
Responsiveness
Governments must act promptly to address societal needs and crises. Slow and inadequate responses are inimical to good governance.
Governance and
Stampedes Over Palliatives
Key Indicators:
Systemic Inequality : The extreme poverty driving people to risk their lives for aid reflects absence of equity. A lack of targeted welfare programs exacerbates desperation among the vulnerable.
Inefficiency: Poor planning and inadequate crowd control at events reveal inefficiencies in organizing palliative distributions.
Accountability: A lack of accountability among officials overseeing these programs has contributed to repeated tragedies, with little done to address underlying causes. Government officials must be held responsible for their decisions.
Insecurity:
Weak Rule of Law: The weak criminal justice system in Nigeria undernines effective enforcement of laws which has led to unchecked violence, insurgency, and criminal activities.
Lack of Responsiveness: Slow or inadequate responses to security threats leave citizens vulnerable.Government must act promptly to address these issues.
Transparency Issues: Corruption and a lack of transparency in security budgets and operations undermine efforts to protect the populace.
Economic Hardship:
Inefficiency in Resource Management: Mismanagement of the economy has led to high inflation, unemployment, and currency devaluation.
Accountability Deficits: Corruption and misuse of public funds reduce resources available for infrastructure, education, and healthcare, creating a challenge of
inclusiveness. Many citizens, particularly in rural areas, lack access to opportunities and social support systems.
Other Social issues:
Education: Education significantly contributes to a nation’s economic growth, instilling moral and cultural values in individuals,Poor governance in the Nigerian education system has led to inadequate infrastructure, underfunding, and a skills gap that hampers economic growth.
Healthcare: The weak healthcare system is another reflection of inefficiency and inequity in governance.
The Way Forward: Undoubtedly, Bridging identified Gaps in governance is key to addressing recurring social challenges including stampede tragedies..
Strengthening Institutions:
Institutional strengthening is a core component of economic bolstering.Weak institutions are a challenge to good governance in Nigeria.Government must prioritise robust institutions to ensure continuity and accountability, reducing reliance on individual leadership.
Enhancing Transparency: Open governance initiatives – regular communication with citizens can improve trust and engagement between citizens and the government.
Implementing Welfare Programs: Targeted and equitable welfare initiatives, coupled with efficient distribution mechanisms, can reduce desperation and promote social stability.
Improving Law Enforcement: Strengthening the rule of law and addressing corruption in the judiciary and security forces are critical.
Community Engagement: Involving citizens in decision-making ensures policies address their needs effectively.
Addressing Indiscipline :
Public Sensitization:
Raising awareness about the dangers of indiscipline, such as rushing and overcrowding.
Promote civic responsibility through education campaigns are essential.
Improved Event Management:
Enforce crowd limits and ensure adequate security and medical personnel.
Employ advanced technologies like crowd-monitoring systems and ticketing for controlled access.
Government Policies: The Nigerian government should
Implement stringent regulations for public gatherings.
Hold organizers accountable for breaches of safety protocols. The present government’s move to hold organisers accountable for the tragedies is commendable.Following the government standpoint,organisers of the ill-fated philanthropic events are remanded either in police custody or correctional centres.
Infrastructure Development: Going forward, the government should build venues with sufficient capacity and emergency exits.
Develop rapid-response systems to address emergencies.
Social Support Programs: Stampedes in Nigeria have caused significant loss of life This is a wake up call for the. government to
reduce socioeconomic pressures by addressing unemployment and poverty, which often drive chaotic behaviors
Conclusion
The tragic stampedes, rising insecurity and other debilitating challenges underscore the consequences of governance deficits. The interplay of indiscipline and poor event management has led to the avalanche of avoidable tragedies in Nigeria. A cultural shift emphasizing discipline and proper governance is essential. Additionally, Stakeholders, including the government, event organizers, and citizens, must collaborate to ensure safety and order at public gatherings, to prevent future tragedies.
