FRSC, NANS forge partnership to tackle deadly Truck crashes

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has restated its strong commitment to safeguarding the lives of Nigerian students and other road users, following a high-level meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at its headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting, convened by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, came in response to NANS’ concerns over the recurring crashes involving articulated trucks, which recently claimed the lives of students in Edo State.

In his remarks, Mohammed expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families, describing every life lost on Nigerian roads as “a wound to the conscience of the nation.”

He assured that the FRSC is determined to collaborate with NANS in finding lasting solutions.

“Our students are the future of this country. Losing them to avoidable crashes is not just painful, it is highly unacceptable.

This meeting is not about shifting blames but about finding lasting solutions together.

FRSC is prepared to work hand in hand with NANS to ensure that no family has to mourn a child because of a preventable crash,” he said.

Representing the NANS President, Comrade Lucky Omonefe, Immediate Past National President and current Ex-Officio 1 of the association, commended the Corps Marshal’s initiative, describing it as a sign of sincerity and respect for Nigerian students.

He noted that while the student body arrived at the meeting with anger, they were leaving with renewed hope.

“We came with anger, but we are leaving with hope. What we have seen today is leadership that listens.

Dialogue is the tool we must all embrace to change drivers’ behaviours, stop recklessness, and reduce carnage on our roads,” Omonefe said.

Mohammed further highlighted measures already in place to reduce truck-related accidents.

These include partnerships with major fleet operators such as Dangote and BUA, through which thousands of heavy-duty truck drivers have been trained and certified in Ibese, Obajana, Okpella, and Gboko.

The training covers defensive driving, fatigue management, and strict adherence to traffic rules.

He revealed that over 2,700 trucks recently underwent rigorous checks under FRSC’s fleet certification programme, ensuring only roadworthy vehicles operate on highways.

The Corps has also strengthened patrols and introduced technology to monitor driver behaviour, while advocating for speed limiters and improved safety standards for heavy vehicles.

Beyond enforcement, the FRSC is engaging stakeholders, including students, transport unions, fleet owners, and community leaders, through town hall meetings aimed at instilling safety consciousness and changing dangerous driving habits.

The Corps Marshal stressed that the engagement with NANS was not a one-off, but the beginning of sustained collaboration. He urged students and the public to remain calm, assuring that decisive steps are being taken to stop avoidable tragedies.

“No protest is more powerful than a united commitment to save lives,” Mohammed said, adding that the Corps remains unwavering in its mission to protect road users through empathy, education, and enforcement.