Tech-Driven Overhaul Cuts FRSC Crash Figures by 10%
A comprehensive revamp of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has delivered a 10 percent drop in road crashes, with technology and operational expansion driving the gains, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said on Thursday.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, Mohammed detailed the transformation undertaken since he assumed office in May 2024, outlining a shift from old-school enforcement to a digitally enabled, service-oriented agency.
At the heart of the change is the FRSC Mobile App, introduced last September. It now allows drivers to validate licences and vehicle papers, access live traffic reports, send crash alerts, and tune into updates from the National Traffic Radio. Behind the scenes, a newly deployed crash information system is gathering data to shape road safety policy, while an upgraded e-ticketing platform now uses a nationwide penalty-point database to flag habitual offenders, with sanctions ranging from fines to outright licence cancellations.
The agency also expanded its physical reach, setting up 14 new unit commands, two outposts, and 35 corridor commands to boost patrols along Nigeria’s busiest highways. Additional rescue clinics and zebra points have been established to improve emergency coverage. Logistics received a major injection with 27 new operational vehicles, including ambulances and patrol pick-ups, alongside the refurbishment of 60 older units to sharpen response times.
Enforcement figures paint a busy picture: over the review period, the corps arrested 538,398 offenders for 587,607 violations, with operations squarely targeting traffic light jumps, counterfeit plates, overloading, unsafe petroleum haulage, and mixing passengers with freight.
While crash incidents declined by 10 percent compared to the previous year, Mohammed noted that fatalities edged up by 7 percent, a sobering indicator of the work still ahead.
On the administrative front, the FRSC made notable strides in clearing backlogs, producing and dispatching 529,880 driver’s licences and 740,073 number plates, while using the National Vehicle Identification Scheme to trace and recover 72 stolen vehicles.
Staff welfare has not been overlooked. The corps has established a dedicated health office under the National Health Insurance Authority, sponsored officers for postgraduate and specialist training in India, and formalised a professional development partnership with the Indian government.
Looking forward, Mohammed disclosed that the FRSC is pushing for amendments to its Establishment Act that would create a specialised armed squad to protect personnel and vital infrastructure, alongside improved retirement packages for senior officers.
The transformation has already earned the corps significant recognition, including the 2024 Nigeria Gov-Tech Award for best digital management among federal MDAs, a top ranking in national transparency assessments, multiple SERVICOM accolades, and the 2025 Kofi Annan Road Safety Award for outstanding road safety management across Africa.