The morning after the tragic Ibadan stampede, a city mourns its loss while grappling with tough questions: How did this happen? Why were so many lives lost? What must change to prevent this from ever happening again?

Beyond the tears and sorrow, this tragedy demands introspection, reform, and immediate action.

Key Lessons From the Ibadan Stampede

1. Event Planning and Management Must Be Professional

The most glaring failure was the mismatch between event capacity and the number of attendees. Accepting over 15,000 participants for an event meant for 5,000 was a recipe for disaster.

Organisers must:

• Use advanced ticketing or pre-registration systems to control attendance.
• Have a clear attendee limit and enforce strict access controls.
• Conduct detailed risk assessments for events, especially when children are involved.

The importance of hiring certified event planners cannot be overemphasised. Trained professionals would have foreseen and mitigated these risks.

2. Crowd Management and Safety

Protocols Are Non-Negotiable

Managing large crowds is a science. From physical barriers to properly spaced entry and exit points, crowd flow must be guided at every stage.

Lessons to apply:

• Clear communication to attendees about safe entry/exit procedures.
• Presence of trained crowd controllers and security personnel at every critical area.
• Medical teams and evacuation plans must be prepared in advance, ready to respond to emergencies.

Ibadan Children Stampede: Fear and Agony as Tragedy Strikes Funfair

3. Public Education on Safety Awareness

Many tragedies are amplified by a lack of awareness among attendees. While organisers are primarily guilty, attendees also have a role in preventing such disasters.

Public education campaigns should teach:

• Basic crowd safety (e.g., recognising danger zones and staying calm).
• The importance of reporting unsafe conditions to organisers or authorities.
• The value of personal safety over free items or prizes.

So We Do not Have another Ibadan Stampede

For Event Organisers:

• Accountability: Organisers must be held accountable for negligence. Their arrest is a necessary step, but systemic reform is crucial to prevent future occurrences.
• Training and Certification: No event should be approved without evidence of trained professionals in crowd management and safety planning.
• Partnership with Security Agencies: Collaborative planning with the police and fire departments ensures readiness for emergencies.

For Government and Regulatory Bodies:

• Stronger Oversight: Agencies must approve events only after thorough inspections of venue capacity, emergency exits, and safety protocols.
• Emergency Response Units: Local governments should create rapid-response teams specialised in large gatherings.
• Laws with Teeth: Penalties for organisers who flout safety regulations must be severe enough to serve as a deterrent.

For the Public:

• Safety Over Everything: Families must learn to prioritise their safety over material benefits or competition. If a venue feels unsafe, leave immediately.
• Speak Up: Citizens must demand better standards from organisers and governments alike. Public pressure can force improvements.

Beyond Mourning the Victims of the Ibadan Stampede: Reforms Now!

This tragedy must not become just another headline forgotten in weeks. The Ibadan stampede has revealed deep systemic issues in event management, crowd control, and public safety. Let it serve as a turning point.

Imagine a Nigeria where no parent fears for their child’s safety at a public gathering. A nation where joy and celebration are free from the shadow of tragedy. This vision is possible—but only with deliberate actions starting now.

The morning after is a time for grief, but also for resolve. The lives lost must inspire change. Let their memory remind us of our collective duty: to protect the most vulnerable among us.