FRSC emerges Permanent Secretariat for Africa’s road safety lead agencies

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) of Nigeria has been officially appointed as the Permanent Secretariat of all Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) across the African continent.

The announcement was made during the inaugural General Assembly of the continental road safety body, currently holding in Lusaka, Zambia, from 26–27 June 2025.

This landmark development ushers in a new phase of cooperation and strategic alignment among African nations, all united in the mission to reduce road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities. As the Permanent Secretariat, the FRSC will coordinate the activities of national road safety lead agencies across Africa, promote the exchange of best practices, harmonise road safety strategies, and mobilise resources for the implementation of the African Road Safety Action Plan.

In his remarks, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed gratitude for the trust placed in Nigeria’s road safety institution and reaffirmed the Corps’ unwavering dedication to advancing road safety across the continent.

“This is not merely recognition of Nigeria’s past efforts, but a call to greater responsibility,” he said. “We will work closely with all African nations to strengthen policies, enhance capacity building, and deploy innovative solutions to make our roads safer.”

He also pledged that the FRSC’s digital transformation agenda and robust public sensitisation strategy would be leveraged to support the Secretariat’s work and bolster road safety delivery across Africa. He extended appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his administration’s sustained support, which, he noted, has been instrumental in achieving this milestone.

The establishment of a regional road safety entity was among the key resolutions adopted at the General Assembly of the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP), held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, in March 2025.

The SSATP is a World Bank initiative that has supported transport policy reform in Africa for over three decades. Comprising 43 member countries, it partners with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to influence high-level policy decisions and foster regional collaboration in transport development.

This achievement aligns with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which aims to halve global road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. It further cements Nigeria’s leadership role in road safety advocacy and positions the FRSC as a model institution for road traffic management across Africa.

The FRSC is calling on all stakeholders—including governments, development agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector—to collaborate in realising a safer and more sustainable road transport system throughout the continent.

Earlier this year, the FRSC was named Best Road Safety Agency in Africa at the prestigious Kofi Annan Road Safety Awards, held in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Eswatini.

This, alongside several other regional accomplishments, is expected not only to attract foreign investment but also to enhance Nigeria’s global image as a nation committed to road safety excellence.