By Chinenye Jane Anaeme
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, mni, has reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to safety on Nigerian roads, despite a troubling uptick in crash and fatality rates recorded in the first half of 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing during the Corps’ Half-Year Strategy Session held at the ICT Hall, FRSC Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Corps Marshal painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s road safety situation, while outlining a series of institutional strides and strategic reforms aimed at reversing current trends.
Between January and June 2025, a total of 5,281 road traffic crashes were recorded nationwide, involving 39,793 individuals. Sadly, 2,838 lives were lost, while 17,818 persons were rescued. These figures reflect a 3.9% rise in crashes and a 2.2% increase in deaths compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of persons affected in road crashes also surged by 8.9%.
Notwithstanding these alarming statistics, Shehu Mohammed emphasized that the Corps remains undaunted. “The FRSC is not overwhelmed,” he declared firmly. “On the contrary, we are rising to the challenge with renewed vigour, professionalism, and innovation.”
In a clear sign of heightened vigilance, FRSC operatives apprehended 290,887 traffic offenders for 319,798 infractions within the review period , representing a 16% rise in arrests and a 14.9% increase in offences booked compared to the previous year.
The Corps Marshal also highlighted the sheer scale of vehicular movement across the country, noting that over 30 million passengers were conveyed in 2.3 million vehicles within the six-month period. States like Anambra and Kano alone accounted for 22% of this travel volume, with over 6.5 million passengers recorded.
While acknowledging the strain this places on road infrastructure and personnel, he praised FRSC officers for their resilience and urged them to continue upholding the Corps’ core values.
Among the agency’s recent institutional reforms, Mohammed noted the passage of a Bill to amend the FRSC Establishment Act by the House of Representatives on July 22, 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to bolster the agency’s operational capacity, ensure better protection of its workforce and infrastructure, and improve staff welfare.
Additionally, the deployment of digital tools like the National Crash Reporting Information System (NACRIS) and the FRSC Mobile App has transformed data collection, driver license verification, blackspot identification, and emergency reporting features that now offer both domestic and global accessibility.
Another significant development is the impending launch of the FRSC Health Management Office, a new internal health initiative designed to offer subsidized, more responsive healthcare for Corps personnel , a move informed by long-standing complaints about existing HMOs.
On the education front, the Corps introduced strategic outreach platforms including Town Hall engagements and informal Breakfast Meetings, designed to deepen public awareness and foster idea-sharing in less rigid settings.
These internal and external reforms have garnered wide acclaim. In 2024, FRSC won several laurels including the Nigeria Gov-Tech Public Service Award, Best Federal MDA in Digital Management, and the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award. The Corps also achieved ISO recertification for the fifth time in April 2025, further consolidating its global reputation.
On the continental stage, FRSC continues to represent Nigeria as the Permanent Secretariat of the West African Road Safety Organization (WARSO). In a recent milestone, Nigeria was also chosen to host the Permanent Secretariat of the African Association of Lead Agencies in Road Safety Management (AARSLA) a World Bank-supported initiative under the SSATP framework.
While commending the federal government’s commitment and recognizing the media’s watchdog role, the Corps Marshal issued a rallying call: “Road crashes remain a societal burden. I urge all stakeholders and members of the public to stand against reckless behaviour on our roads.”
As the FRSC transitions into the third quarter of 2025, the Corps plans to roll out stricter enforcement strategies including expanded Mobile Court sessions and targeted monitoring of high-risk routes to address persistent violations.
In conclusion, Shehu Mohammed charged all officers to remain dutiful, strategic, and undeterred in delivering the Corps’ mandate. “We must continue to speak through our actions. Road safety is everyone’s business and together, we can build a future of zero traffic deaths in Nigeria.”
