Shehu Mohammed’s Vision for Road Safety: Advancing Nigeria’s Compliance with Global Standards

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has consistently demonstrated its capability to fulfill its mandate, reinforcing the commitment of its leadership and operatives to ensuring safe highways across Nigeria.

Today, I join the community of road users in celebrating a significant milestone toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the objective of reducing road traffic fatalities by 50% by 2030. This achievement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

These strides highlight the administrative excellence of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, who has made lasting contributions to road safety despite numerous challenges. His leadership showcases the possibility of realizing ambitious goals in this critical sector.

Recently, Nigeria witnessed a pivotal moment in road safety governance with the inauguration of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC) by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This council is tasked with implementing the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (2021-2030), a key framework for enhancing road safety management in line with global standards.

For those unfamiliar with the implications of this development, NaRSAC represents the highest governance structure responsible for executing the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy. Its duties include providing strategic policy direction and coordinating with bodies like the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the State Road Safety Advisory Councils (SaRSAC). The TWG comprises members from the FRSC, state governments, and various relevant organizations, including the police and professional associations.

NaRSAC is chaired by the Vice President and includes six governors, each representing one of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, along with ministers from key ministries such as Transport, Health, and Justice. It also features members from various national and local organizations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to road safety.

The Council’s primary responsibilities encompass achieving national road safety targets, coordinating government efforts, implementing the NRSS, and evaluating the outcomes of road safety initiatives. It is also tasked with developing funding strategies and monitoring the disbursement of allocated resources.

The Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) serves as the country’s response to the urgent need for safe road usage. This document outlines a vision for reducing road traffic fatalities by 50% by 2030 through a Safe System Approach, emphasizing collective responsibility and the goal of eliminating deaths from road traffic crashes.

The NRSS aims to create a future where road traffic crashes result in no fatalities, fostering a culture of safe road usage that ultimately improves citizens’ quality of life and supports national socio-economic growth.

Recognizing the multifaceted nature of road safety, the NRSS delineates responsibilities across various government tiers and NGOs, seeking to unify road safety efforts nationwide. Full implementation of the NRSS is expected to transform Nigeria into a nation where road traffic fatalities are eradicated, aligning with SDG targets.

This development promises to enhance stakeholder engagement, secure sustained funding, promote sustainable transportation, and facilitate public awareness initiatives. To further this agenda, state governments must urgently establish their own Road Safety Advisory Councils (SaRSAC), with Deputy Governors leading these efforts, mirroring the Vice President’s initiative to collectively achieve the NRSS goals and the broader aspirations of the SDGs.

—Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem (Rtd), a seasoned road safety professional and public relations expert, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.