Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to inaugurate the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NARSAC), marking a key move in Nigeria’s efforts to meet the United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety 2021-2030 goals. The council’s establishment is aimed at reducing road traffic fatalities across the country.
As chair of NARSAC, Vice President Shettima has called for urgent measures to address the high rate of road crashes in Nigeria, urging for the integration of technology and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. “We must tackle the root causes of road traffic crashes and ensure a safer environment for all road users,” he said.
The directive for the council’s immediate launch came during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) leadership, led by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed. Shettima expressed concerns about the increasing number of traffic accidents nationwide, which he attributed to a widespread disregard for traffic regulations. He emphasized the need for systemic reforms, drawing inspiration from global road safety leaders like Dubai and the UK.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed highlighted that NARSAC is integral to the success of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy II document, which aims to reduce road traffic crashes by 50% by 2030. The council will be responsible for setting national safety goals, coordinating federal, state, and local collaboration, and ensuring the implementation of key road safety initiatives.
NARSAC includes a broad range of stakeholders, such as six governors representing Nigeria’s geo-political zones, key federal ministers, the National Security Adviser, and the President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), signaling a united effort to address the nation’s road safety crisis.
The inauguration marks a significant step towards achieving zero road traffic fatalities and fulfilling Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety.
