Abuja: The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has announced that Nigeria is poised to spearhead Africa’s efforts in enhancing road safety, emphasizing collaboration and integration across the continent. The announcement was made during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mohammed stated that the FRSC aims to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities by 50% before 2030. Highlighting Nigeria’s past achievements, he acknowledged the nation’s potential for growth in road safety management. As Africa’s largest economy and the leading black nation globally, Nigeria is expected to set a benchmark for other African countries in this domain.
Mohammed stressed Nigeria’s dedication to ensuring safer mobility of lives, property, and services across Africa, stating, “Human life must be better valued in transportation systems.” He also noted that Nigeria’s hosting of the West African Road Safety Organisation Secretariat (WARSO) and the Association of African Road Safety Lead Agencies underscores the government’s strong political will and commitment to road safety.
The secretariat serves as a central hub for road safety activities across Africa and West Africa, aiming to consolidate efforts in safety, mobility, and continental cooperation. This development highlights Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and its commitment to fostering collaboration, partnership, and integration among member countries.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims to reduce global road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030. Mohammed mentioned that Nigeria has set a goal to decrease road crashes and fatalities by 10% annually as part of efforts to meet the global target within the decade. Member countries of the African Road Safety Lead Agencies and WARSO have shown commitment and cooperation towards achieving this goal.
The strategies for achieving the target include sensitisation, public education, enforcement, and community engagement, with an emphasis on involving citizens. Mohammed concluded that road safety is a shared responsibility requiring active participation from all stakeholders, reiterating, “We are committed to making Africa a place where mobility for lives, property, and services is safe, and where human lives are valued.”