International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences
Vol 15, No 1: March 2026

Analysis of railway accidents in Nigeria: a decade of insights

Umar, Aliyu Mani (Unknown)
Mohd Lazi, Mohd Khairul Afzan (Unknown)
Hassan, Sitti Asmah (Unknown)
Che Hashim, Hanini Ilyana (Unknown)
Zhang, Yinggui (Unknown)
Yaro, Nura Shehu Aliyu (Unknown)
Sabari, Adam Ado (Unknown)
Wada, Surajo Abubakar (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study provides insights into the patterns and dynamics of railway accidents in Nigeria over the past decade. Findings indicate that Nigeria's rail network experiences fewer but more severe accidents than the United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK), with significantly higher fatalities and injuries per million train kilometers 92% and up to 95% more, respectively, in 2023. A top-down approach was employed to establish a risk tree, revealing six railway accident categories recorded over the last decade. The established risk tree could provide a framework for conducting the rail network's comprehensive safety risk assessment. Finally, a root cause analysis of railway intrusion accidents, the most occurring railway accident category in the Nigerian rail network, was conducted. Six immediate and eleven underlying causes (UC) of railway intrusion accidents were identified. About 62% of all intrusion accidents were caused by negligence of road users. Several actionable preventive measures (PM) have been proposed for each identified UC based on best practices in developed rail networks. Infrastructure upgrades and safety awareness campaigns have been identified as the potentially most effective PM for railway intrusion accidents in Nigeria.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJAAS

Publisher

Subject

Earth & Planetary Sciences Environmental Science Materials Science & Nanotechnology Mathematics Physics

Description

International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences (IJAAS) is a peer-reviewed and open access journal dedicated to publish significant research findings in the field of applied and theoretical sciences. The journal is designed to serve researchers, developers, professionals, graduate students and ...