By Kingsley Benson
Nigeria’s road safety drive received a fresh boost recently as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) relaunched its Annual Lecture Series after an eight-year break, with a renewed focus on adopting global best practices to curb road accidents and improve transportation safety nationwide.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who declared open the Eighth Annual Lecture Series in Abuja, said that the revival of the initiative, last held in 2017, reflects the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships for domestic solutions to persistent road safety challenges.
A Platform to Reassess and Innovate
Themed: ‘Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership and Optimal Performance,’ the lecture series aims to create a platform for policymakers, transport operators, and other stakeholders to review performance, share knowledge, and chart innovative solutions.
“The Annual Lecture Series highlights the need for the corps to review performance, identify needs, and create awareness on the challenges of road safety management in Nigeria,” Vice President Shettima said. “Previous lectures yielded beneficial insights that improved driving habits, policy direction, and enlightenment campaigns, placing Nigeria as a lead country in road safety management in West Africa and across the continent.”
The Vice President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing road traffic fatalities by 50 percent by 2030 and pledged support for the FRSC through policy alignment and the pending FRSC Amendment Bill, which has passed the House of Representatives and awaits Senate concurrence.
Ember Months and the Road Ahead
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, stressed the importance of the forum as the country approaches the Ember Months, a period often marked by increased traffic and higher accident rates.
“Over 90 percent of transportation in Nigeria is by road, hence the need for stringent safety measures cannot be overemphasised,” Sen. Akume said. “This lecture series is timely and critical to our collective effort to ensure safer roads during the festive season and beyond.”
Towards a Safer, Smarter Road Network
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed optimism that the relaunch of the lecture series would catalyse new policies and behavioural change among road users.
“The resolutions emerging from today’s consultations will lead to positive changes in our driving culture and help us bequeath an enduring road safety legacy for our nation,” he said.
Panel discussions, anchored by former Corps Marshal Chief Osita Chidoka, brought together voices from security, justice, technology, academia, and civil society to explore how global frameworks can be adapted to Nigeria’s unique transport realities, where motorcycles account for nearly half of all road fatalities.
With the lecture series back on track, stakeholders expressed optimism that the platform would not only provide evidence-based guidance but also strengthen partnerships needed to make Nigerian roads safer, smarter, and more secure.
States Commit to Strengthening FRSC Collaboration
In a related development, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, pledged continued support for the FRSC’s operations in the state during a meeting with the new Sector Commander, Corps Commander Sanya Adeoye. Mr. Oyebanji commended the Corps for its professionalism and suggested regular engagement with commercial transport operators to reduce accidents, particularly those involving motorcycles and tricycles.
“Most of the accidents we record are avoidable,” he said. “We need to have a structure that ensures regular training and interaction with drivers and riders to improve safety measures.”
