The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged countries across West Africa to adopt innovative technologies and collaborative strategies to tackle the growing road safety challenges facing the region.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 West African Road Safety Organization (WARSO) Day in Abuja, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, emphasized the urgent need for innovation-driven approaches. The event, themed “Innovation for Road Safety: Leveraging Technology for a Safer Future,” brought together key stakeholders from across the subregion.
Mallam Mohammed, represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele, stressed the importance of regional cooperation and the deployment of advanced technologies such as intelligent traffic management systems, real-time data analytics, and automated traffic violation recording as vital tools in reducing road crashes and fatalities.
“Technology offers the promise of safer, more efficient transportation systems,” he noted, citing several FRSC-led initiatives including the e-ticketing system, the Crash Data Management System (CDMS), and the National Vehicle Identification System.
He also highlighted the launch of the FRSC Mobile App and the National Crash Information System (NACRIS) as key innovations aimed at improving public access to road safety services and enhancing data-driven decision-making.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional progress, the Corps Marshal pointed to the country’s support in strengthening road safety institutions in Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone.
Dr. Sydney Ibeanusi, Nigeria’s National Focal Person for the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety and Traffic Injury Prevention, lauded the FRSC for pioneering the use of technology in road safety management. He called for sustained innovation and inter-country partnerships to consolidate gains and drive progress.
UN envoy and civil society representative Prof. Yusuf John-Suberu referenced a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) report that estimated Nigeria lost over ₦100 billion annually due to road crashes. He acknowledged a notable improvement in recent years, attributing the positive trend to enhanced collaboration between the FRSC, government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and law enforcement bodies.
The event underscored the pivotal role of technology, policy enforcement, and cross-border partnerships in creating safer roads across West Africa.