FG Launches Continental Road Safety Secretariat To Boost Trade, Integration
The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) secretariat, in a move aimed at strengthening trade, mobility and regional integration through improved road safety.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, described the development as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to continental leadership and regional cooperation.
He said the establishment of the secretariat aligns with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in promoting strategic partnerships and Africa’s role in global affairs.
According to Mohammed, the initiative positions Nigeria as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange and technical cooperation in road safety management across the continent.
He added that the move also reflects the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that safer roads are critical to protecting lives, enhancing economic activities and improving national productivity.
“Our work here is not just technical; it is transformational,” he said.
The FRSC boss explained that the new facility brings together the secretariats of both AARSLA and WARSO under one roof, enhancing coordination and efficiency in addressing road safety challenges across Africa.
He recalled that Nigeria had pledged to host the AARSLA secretariat during its first General Assembly in Lusaka, Zambia, in June last year, adding that the commitment has now been fulfilled.
Mohammed noted that Nigeria has continued to support other African countries in strengthening their road safety institutions, with its lead agency model replicated in several nations.
He described AARSLA, which has membership from all 54 African countries, as a strategic platform for promoting collaboration, strengthening professional competence and amplifying Africa’s voice in global road safety discussions.
He added that the body would help harmonise fragmented efforts into a coordinated continental framework.
Also speaking, AARSLA Vice President, Areil Sacramento, said the inauguration underscored the need for collective action in tackling road fatalities across Africa.
Citing World Health Organisation statistics, he said the continent records about 27 deaths per 100,000 people annually from road crashes, stressing the human and economic toll of unsafe roads.
“No country can address this challenge alone. By working together and sharing common experiences, we can achieve lasting impact,” he said.
Sacramento commended Nigeria for hosting the secretariat and providing facilities for both continental and sub-regional bodies, urging stakeholders to translate the inauguration into sustained collaboration and concrete action to save lives.
