FRSC Boss Seeks Stronger Global Cooperation On Road Safety At UN Meeting
ABUJA – The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has called for stronger international collaboration to improve road safety, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030.
Mohammed made the call while delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the ongoing United Nations High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety in New York, where he is leading the country’s delegation on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
The meeting brings together Heads of State, ministers, policymakers and road safety experts to accelerate the implementation of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu during the plenary session themed “Scaling Up and Accelerating Implementation of Commitments to Halving Road Traffic Deaths and Injuries by 2030,” the Corps Marshal reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening road safety through sustained political will, strategic investments, innovation and international partnerships.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s efforts to improve road safety through institutional reforms, technology-driven enforcement systems, enhanced emergency response, and intensified public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing road crash fatalities.
Mohammed also showcased Nigeria’s leadership role in road safety across Africa, citing the launch of the Nigeria Road Assessment Programme (NigeriaRAP) in partnership with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP). The initiative is designed to improve road infrastructure safety using the globally recognised Safe System Approach.
He further noted that Nigeria hosts the Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA), providing a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and institutional development among road safety agencies across the continent.
The Corps Marshal said Nigeria is also aligning its transport sector with global sustainability goals through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles, while developing safety standards for heavy-duty vehicles and emerging transport technologies.
Despite the progress recorded, Mohammed stressed that greater international cooperation remains critical, particularly in intelligent enforcement technologies, road infrastructure safety assessments, institutional capacity building and technology transfer.
He urged development partners and the global community to strengthen technical cooperation and support initiatives that would accelerate the achievement of shared road safety goals.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s position, Mohammed said road safety remains a key priority under the Tinubu administration, adding that the country will continue working with international partners to build safer roads, save lives and contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the World Health Organization, road traffic crashes claim approximately 1.2 million lives globally each year. The United Nations aims to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by at least 50 per cent by the end of the decade under the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
