The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has called for deeper international collaboration to improve road safety, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to meeting the United Nations goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by half before 2030 through reforms, innovation and strategic partnerships.
The FRSC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, noting that Mohammed made the appeal while delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the ongoing United Nations High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety in New York. He is leading the country’s delegation on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the agency, the gathering has attracted Heads of State, ministers, global policymakers and road safety experts to accelerate the implementation of commitments under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety aimed at cutting road traffic fatalities and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030.
The statement partly reads, “In a strong demonstration of Nigeria’s strong commitment to global road safety, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, directed the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, mni, to lead the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety currently holding at the United Nations General Assembly Headquarters in New York, United States of America.
“The high-powered gathering brings together Heads of State, Ministers, global policymakers and road safety experts to accelerate implementation of commitments aimed at halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.”
The FRSC said Mohammed presented Nigeria’s national position during the plenary session on behalf of President Tinubu.
The statement added, “Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, the Corps Marshal presented Nigeria’s national statement during the plenary session of the meeting themed, ‘Scaling Up and Accelerating Implementation of Commitments to Halving Road Traffic Deaths and Injuries by 2030.’
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to strengthen road safety governance through sustained political commitment, strategic investments, innovation and stronger international partnerships in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.”
The agency said the Corps Marshal highlighted the country’s progress in advancing road safety through institutional reforms, technology-based enforcement systems, stronger emergency response measures and expanded public awareness campaigns.
It stated, “The Corps Marshal highlighted the remarkable strides recorded by Nigeria in advancing the global road safety agenda. He informed the assembly that the Federal Government has continued to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Federal Road Safety Corps through strategic reforms, deployment of technology-driven enforcement systems, improved emergency response mechanisms and enhanced public enlightenment programmes aimed at reducing fatalities on Nigerian roads.”
Mohammed also showcased Nigeria’s increasing leadership role in promoting road safety across Africa, citing the launch of the Nigeria Road Assessment Programme (NigeriaRAP) in partnership with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP).
The statement added, “He further showcased Nigeria’s growing leadership on the African continent, noting that the country recently launched the Nigeria Road Assessment Programme (NigeriaRAP) in collaboration with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) to improve infrastructure safety using the globally recognised Safe System Approach.
He also underscored Nigeria’s role as host of the Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA), providing a continental platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and institutional strengthening among African road safety administrations.”
On sustainable transportation, the Corps Marshal told delegates that Nigeria is embracing cleaner transport initiatives while strengthening safety standards for evolving transport systems.
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It continued, “Added to the foregoing, the Corps Marshal also informed delegates that Nigeria is aligning its transportation future with global sustainability goals through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles while simultaneously developing robust safety standards for heavy goods vehicles and emerging transport technologies.”
Despite the progress recorded, Mohammed stressed that stronger international cooperation remains crucial to achieving global road safety targets.
The statement added, “While acknowledging the progress already achieved, the Corps Marshal noted that greater international cooperation remains essential in areas such as intelligent enforcement technologies, road infrastructure safety assessment, institutional capacity development and technology transfer.
“He therefore called on development partners and the international community to deepen technical cooperation and support capacity-building initiatives that would accelerate the attainment of shared global road safety targets.”
Reaffirming Nigeria’s position, the FRSC said Mohammed assured the international community that road safety remains a major priority for the Tinubu administration.
It stated, “Reaffirming Nigeria’s position, Shehu Mohammed declared that road safety remains a national political priority under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He assured the global community that Nigeria would continue to work closely with international partners to build safer roads, save more lives and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
According to the World Health Organisation, road traffic crashes claim about 1.2 million lives globally each year. Under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, member states are working towards reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by at least 50 per cent before the end of the decade.
Nigeria has continued to pursue that objective through the FRSC by strengthening enforcement, expanding public education, improving emergency response services and promoting safer road infrastructure.