48+ Death by Palliatives: The Imperative of Strong Organizational Structures in Nigeria… Even in Business 

48+ Death by Palliatives: The Imperative of Strong Organizational Structures in Nigeria… Even in Business 

Introduction

Recent tragic incidents in Nigeria have underscored the dire consequences of inadequate organizational structures in managing large-scale charitable events. At least 48 people have died in separate crowd stampedes across the country in the past week, with victims predominantly women and children. These fatalities occurred as desperate citizens gathered to receive food and clothing during charity events amid Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living crisis. I dubbed these as “Death by Palliatives,” because these events highlight the urgent need for robust structures to handle large-scale distributions of goods and services. 

Beyond the immediate tragedies, these incidents raise broader concerns for businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations about the importance of effective management and planning.

Key Incidents

1. Abuja Stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Saturday 21 December 2024)
   In Abuja, the nation’s capital, a stampede at a charity event organized by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including four children. Witness accounts indicate that a rush to enter the church gates hours before the scheduled distribution of Christmas gifts resulted in a deadly crowd surge. Over 1,000 people had to be evacuated, and police investigations point to poor crowd control measures as a contributing factor.
2. Okija Stampede in Anambra State
   In Okija, southeastern Nigeria, three people lost their lives in a similar incident. The stampede occurred before the distribution of rice at a community center. Amnesty International Nigeria, however, places the death toll at 20, signaling potential discrepancies in reporting and the scale of the disaster.
3. Ibadan Stampede at a School Funfair
   The most devastating incident occurred in Ibadan, where 35 children died during a school funfair organized by a local foundation. The funfair, intended to distribute food and gifts, ended in tragedy due to an overwhelming crowd surge. The state government and law enforcement have since initiated investigations and arrests to address the lapses in event planning.

These events demonstrate how inadequate planning and weak organizational structures can turn noble intentions into disasters. The absence of proper risk management, resource allocation, and emergency preparedness amplifies the dangers inherent in large gatherings. For entrepreneurs and businesses, the lessons are clear: success, safety, and sustainability depend on strong organizational frameworks.

Underlying Causes

These incidents are symptomatic of deeper socio-economic and organizational issues:

• Economic Hardship: Nigeria is currently grappling with its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, driven by surging inflation, subsidy removals, and currency devaluation. Food insecurity has turned basic staples like rice into luxuries, driving thousands to seek relief through charity events.
• Lack of Planning and Safety Protocols: The absence of clear operational guidelines and crowd management systems has exacerbated the risks associated with large gatherings. These events often lack proper venue security, capacity limits, and trained personnel to manage emergencies.
• Desperation Among Vulnerable Populations: The victims of these tragedies are often the most marginalized—women, children, and the elderly—who risk their safety in the hope of securing essential supplies.

Lessons for Organizational Leadership

A robust organizational structure provides a framework for decision-making, resource management, and operational efficiency. Whether running a charitable event or managing a business, the lack of a solid structure can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

The deaths caused by these poorly managed events highlight the critical need for robust organizational structures when addressing large-scale social initiatives:

1. Crowd Management Systems: Implementing ticketing systems, staggered distribution times, and designated entry points can help mitigate the risk of stampedes. Implementing systems where participants register online before an event or sale ensures predictable turnout. For instance, businesses can adopt e-ticketing for product launches or staggered appointments for customer service interactions. Designating specific distribution zones with clear entry and exit points can reduce congestion. This principle applies to retail outlets managing large sales events, food vendors during peak hours, or corporate giveaways. Use real-time analytics tools to monitor crowd density and adjust processes dynamically. Retail chains like Shoprite often utilize digital queue management systems to avoid bottlenecks during high traffic.
2. Risk Assessment and Planning: Organizers must assess venue capacity, deploy trained personnel, and establish clear emergency protocols before hosting such events. Evaluate the capacity of any venue or system handling a surge of customers or goods. For example, during Black Friday sales, businesses should limit in-store attendance and promote online shopping alternatives. Develop contingency plans for worst-case scenarios. This includes training staff to manage crowd surges, setting up first-aid stations, and maintaining clear communication during crises. Conduct periodic drills to test the organization’s readiness to handle emergencies. Event planners and logistics firms, for instance, can simulate scenarios like overbooked venues or last-minute cancellations to refine their protocols.
3. Collaboration with Authorities: Working with local law enforcement and emergency response teams can enhance the safety and efficiency of these programs. During events or high-demand sales, involve police or private security teams to ensure order. This is particularly important for outdoor product launches or public activations. Obtain permits and comply with safety standards. Organizations that align with health, safety, and fire regulations face fewer legal risks. For instance, a warehouse distributing goods must meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Establish protocols with medical and fire response units. Businesses hosting massive events like expos or conferences should have ambulance services and emergency exit plans in place.
4. Community Engagement: Engaging community leaders and representatives in planning can ensure a better understanding of local needs and behaviors, reducing chaos during distributions. Engage community representatives, such as local leaders or influencers, to bridge communication gaps. A business rolling out a new product in rural areas, for example, can work with community heads to determine the most effective distribution strategy. Study the behaviors and preferences of your target audience. For instance, mobile network providers offering promotions should anticipate peak hours and preempt network congestion by analyzing past patterns. Establish channels to collect feedback pre- and post-operations. This helps refine processes and build trust. For example, customer surveys after promotional events provide actionable insights to prevent future challenges.

Wider Implications for Entrepreneurs

For Nigerian entrepreneurs, Fordax believes that these tragedies highlight a critical lesson: ambition must be matched by the capacity to execute responsibly. Whether distributing palliatives, running a charity, or scaling a business, a robust structure ensures:

1. Customer Satisfaction: Meeting the needs of clients and beneficiaries without chaos enhances trust and reputation.
2. Sustainability: Structured operations are better equipped to scale and adapt, ensuring longevity.
3. Legal and Ethical Standards: Adhering to organizational protocols reduces liability and aligns with ethical practices.

These tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the costs of weak organizational planning. For entrepreneurs, businesses, and non-profits alike, strong structures are not optional—they are essential. As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship and increasing reliance on charity, it is vital to prioritize safety, accountability, and sustainability in all endeavors. 

By adopting robust frameworks, organizations can ensure that their efforts to do good do not result in harm.

As one of the leading modern business, schools in Nigeria (providing some of the best and most affordable executive development and professional courses in Africa), the Fordax Business School champions these principles in its teachings and business cum entrepreneurship programs, instilling the values of strategic planning, risk management, and ethical leadership in the next generation of Nigerian leaders.

Conclusion

While the intent behind these charitable events is noble, the recurring tragedies reveal a pressing need for professionalized approaches to social interventions. We must learn from these painful incidents so that we can better serve vulnerable populations while safeguarding lives. The Fordax Business School emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, operational excellence, and ethical leadership in its teachings to prepare today’s leaders for such challenges whether in business, leadership, or other spheres of life.