A devastating road accident on Saturday, May 31, 2025, claimed the lives of 22 members of the Kano State contingent, including athletes, officials, and support personnel. They were returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when their Toyota Coaster Bus (registration KN041 A17) crashed near the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano, just hours before their expected arrival, as confirmed by a survivor. The incident has plunged the state and the nation's sports community into deep mourning.

The accident occurred around 12:30 PM. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver lost control of the bus near the old and narrow Dakatsalle Bridge, a structure locals have long considered unsafe. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano confirmed that, in addition to the 22 fatalities, 11 others sustained injuries of varying severity. The team had been on the road since Thursday night, May 29, immediately after the conclusion of the festival.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a loss for Nigeria. Having watched a video of the crash scene, he stated that the athletes "died in active service for their state and country." Sani urged the Kano State government and the federal government under President Bola Tinubu to "do better to support their families and immortalise" the deceased, suggesting that streets be named after them and a memorial be erected at the accident site.

The Kano State Government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, responded swiftly to the tragedy. Governor Yusuf, who was away in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, declared Monday, June 2, 2025, a public holiday to allow residents to mourn and pray for the victims. Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, speaking on behalf of the governor, announced a pledge of N1 million to each family of the 22 deceased athletes during a condolence visit to Nasarawa Hospital where some bodies were kept. The government also promised to provide food, relief materials, and ensure the best medical care for the injured survivors.

Shehu Sani later criticized the N1 million compensation per family as "not enough," stating that "Kano is rich enough to do more than that" for athletes who died in active service. This sentiment was echoed by some social media users. NNPP chieftain Ajadi Oguntoyinbo also highlighted the incident as a wake-up call, urging federal and state governments to fix dilapidated roads like the Dakatsalle Bridge. He criticized the poor transport system for Nigerian athletes, advocating for safer travel options such as flights, as is standard in developed countries.

Former Kano State Governor and NNPP National Leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, described the incident as a "profound loss" to the families, Kano, and the nation. Ajadi Oguntoyinbo further called for the deceased to be honored as "heroes and heroines who died in the service of the nation" and "martyrs of Nigerian sport and unity." He urged the federal government, alongside Ogun and Kano State governments, to provide for the families and award posthumous honors.

The Ogun State Government, host of the National Sports Festival, also extended support. Governor Dapo Abiodun disbursed one million naira each to the families of the deceased athletes. A delegation from Ogun State, including Deputy Governor Noimot Oyedele and other top officials, visited Kano to commiserate with the government and families, describing the accident as a "devastating loss."

The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for improved safety measures for athletes and sports delegates traveling long distances. Ajadi Oguntoyinbo emphasized that the sacrifice of these young athletes, described as "ambassadors of peace and excellence," must not be in vain and should lead to "real, sustainable reforms in the areas of athlete welfare, road safety, and national infrastructure." He also proposed a national moment of silence during future sporting events in their memory.