The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the quality of driver and rider training across the country.
This effort was formalised during the 2025 National Workshop for Driving School Proprietors and Instructors, held recently at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The two-day workshop, themed “Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria Through Standardised Driver and Rider Training,” brought together key stakeholders in the transport and road safety sectors to examine strategies for enhancing the safety and professionalism of driving schools nationwide.
Speaking at the event, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed—represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Henry Benamaisia—underscored the crucial role that driving schools play in shaping the safety consciousness of road users.
“Driving schools are the first point of contact between would-be drivers and the culture of road safety. The behavior and competence of future drivers are largely determined by the quality of training they receive at this stage,” he said.
He emphasized that road safety is not only a shared civic responsibility but also a fundamental pillar of national economic development, noting that lapses in safety standards can result in far-reaching consequences for both lives and livelihoods.
“The current safety situation on Nigerian highways demands renewed focus, innovative strategies, and a sustained commitment to excellence,” he stated.
“While enforcement is vital, global best practices and history have shown that prevention through education remains the most sustainable path to safer roads.”
Also addressing participants, Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Training, Chidiebere Nkwonta—represented by the Head of Driving School Standardization, Corps Commander Sunday Attah—announced that the workshop series would be held in eight centers nationwide between May and June 2025.
According to him, the theme of this year’s workshop highlights the FRSC’s determination to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities through standardized, certified driver education.
“This theme reinforces the pivotal role of certified driving schools in producing competent and safety-conscious road users,” Attah said, urging participants to take full advantage of the platform to share knowledge and experiences.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Rivers State, Inyang Umoh, added that the workshop is one of several strategic interventions by the agency to ensure that all drivers, particularly those entering the system, receive proper training.
“The FRSC remains at the forefront of promoting safe driving practices in Nigeria,” he said. “Today, no driver can obtain a license without undergoing formal training. This program ensures that the foundation is laid properly at the training stage.”
Participants at the workshop expressed appreciation for the initiative and pledged to implement the insights gained in their respective institutions to promote safer roads across the country.
