Nigeria Inaugurates AARSLA/WARSO Secretariat, Pledges Safer Roads for Trade and Regional Integration
The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated the joint secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), committing to use the platform as an instrument of economic diplomacy by advancing trade, mobility, and regional integration through safer roads across the continent.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, described the establishment of the secretariat as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to continental leadership and regional cooperation, core pillars of the country’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mohammed noted that the initiative reinforces Nigeria's role as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and technical cooperation in road safety management in Africa, aligning with the administration's emphasis on strategic partnerships and Africa's leadership in global affairs.
He recalled that at the first General Assembly of AARSLA in Lusaka, Zambia, in June last year, he had pledged that Nigeria would provide a befitting secretariat for the association. While the FRSC has housed WARSO's secretariat since its establishment in 2008, the new facility now co-locates both bodies in a single edifice, symbolising unity of purpose and greater efficiency in continental coordination.
The Corps Marshal highlighted Nigeria's consistent support for member countries in strengthening their road safety institutions, adding that its Lead Agency model has been replicated in several nations. "These achievements underscore Nigeria's readiness to lead through service, collaboration, and shared expertise," he said.
According to Mohammed, AARSLA, which draws membership from all 54 African countries, represents a strategic platform for extending the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond Nigeria’s borders. Built on the pillars of Exchange, Learn, and Advocate, the association fosters peer collaboration, strengthens professional competence, and amplifies Africa's voice in global road safety discourse.
He described AARSLA as a mechanism for harmonising fragmented efforts into a coordinated continental framework, consistent with the vision of a united and prosperous Africa. "As AARSLA continues to grow with strong institutional backing and expanding membership, it stands as a testament to what Africa can achieve through unity and shared purpose. It is also a practical expression of economic diplomacy, where safer roads enhance trade, mobility, and regional integration," he added.
Mohammed assured that Nigeria, through the FRSC, would continue to support the full operations of the AARSLA/WARSO Secretariat as a centre of excellence for Africa.
In his remarks, the Vice President of AARSLA, Areil Sacramento, said the event was not merely ceremonial but a recognition that no single country can tackle the challenge of road fatalities alone. Citing World Health Organisation statistics that Africa records 27 road deaths per 100,000 people annually, he stressed that collective action across the continent would help reverse the trend.
"Behind each of these numbers are lives lost, families shattered, communities affected, and futures interrupted. Road insecurity carries an immense human, social, and economic cost," Sacramento said.
He recalled that Benin was a founding member of WARSO and hosted its secretariat for nearly a decade, emphasising the importance of sustained regional collaboration. "By working together, across borders, sharing the same realities, we can accelerate our efforts and deliver meaningful, lasting impact," he added.
Sacramento congratulated Nigeria on hosting AARSLA's headquarters and expressed deep gratitude for providing facilities for both the continental and sub-regional bodies. "Let this moment not be just an inauguration. Let it be a decisive step forward, a renewed commitment to collaboration, to action, and to saving lives on our roads," he said.