The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has called for stronger international cooperation in road safety, saying Nigeria remains committed to achieving the United Nations target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 through reforms, technology and strategic partnerships.
A statement issued by the agency on Tuesday noted that Mohammed made the call while presenting 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, global policymakers and road safety experts to accelerate the implementation of commitments aimed at halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
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 delivered Nigeria’s national statement during the plenary session on behalf of the President.
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.”
According to the agency, the Corps Marshal highlighted the progress Nigeria has made in improving road safety through institutional reforms and technology-driven initiatives.
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.”
The FRSC added that Mohammed showcased Nigeria’s growing leadership role in road safety across Africa.
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.”
The Corps Marshal also outlined Nigeria’s efforts to align its transport sector with global sustainability goals.
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.”
While acknowledging progress, Mohammed stressed the need for stronger global partnerships to achieve the target of reducing road traffic deaths.
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 commitment, the FRSC said Mohammed declared that road safety remains a 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.”
Road traffic crashes remain a major public health challenge globally, claiming about 1.2 million lives annually, according to the WHO.
The United Nations has set a target under the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by at least 50 per cent by the end of the decade.
Nigeria has continued to implement reforms through the FRSC, including improved enforcement, public education, emergency response and safer road infrastructure, as part of efforts to align with the global target.
