Abuja: The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reiterated its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian students and all road users. The FRSC gave the assurance following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was convened at the instance of the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, following recent concerns raised by NANS over the incessant crashes involving articulated vehicles, which had unfortunately claimed lives of students in Edo. The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed that the meeting aimed to address these critical safety issues.
The corps marshal expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students, describing every life lost on Nigerian roads as “a wound to the conscience of the nation.” The FRSC boss assured the student body that their concerns were shaping deliberate actions to curb reckless driving by truck operators, stating the importance of safeguarding the future of the country by preventing avoidable crashes.
Malam Shehu Mohammed highlighted FRSC’s ongoing and intensified measures to tackle the menace of truck crashes. These include partnerships with major fleet operators like the Dangote and BUA Groups, training and certifying thousands of heavy-duty truck drivers, and conducting rigorous vehicle checks to ensure roadworthiness.
The FRSC is also strengthening patrol and surveillance systems with technology to track driver behavior, advocating for speed limiting devices and improved safety standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The corps is engaging stakeholders through town hall meetings to instill safety consciousness on Nigerian roads, and the engagement with NANS marks the beginning of a sustained partnership with Nigerian students.
Lucky Omonefe, the immediate Past National President of NANS, expressed optimism following the meeting, praising the FRSC’s leadership for its openness to dialogue and commitment to change. He emphasized that dialogue is key to changing driver behaviors and reducing road carnage.
The FRSC remains committed to prioritizing safety through empathy, enforcement, and education, urging the public to remain calm as measures are being taken to prevent road tragedies. The corps underscores that a united commitment to saving lives is more powerful than protests, pledging to elevate road safety standards across Nigeria.