By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been named the Best Road Safety Agency in Africa, receiving the Kofi Annan Award in recognition of its efforts to improve road safety across the country and the continent.
The award was presented during the third edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Awards, held from April 14 to 15 in Elzuwini, Kingdom of Eswatini. The annual event honors African countries and institutions making significant progress in reducing road traffic accidents and fatalities.
The award is named after the late former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who advocated for global road safety and sustainable development.
For Nigeria, the recognition comes as a major achievement after nearly four decades of operations by the FRSC. Since its establishment, the Corps has worked to enforce traffic regulations, reduce crashes, and promote safety awareness among motorists.
FRSC personnel are a familiar presence on Nigerian highways, from urban centers like Lagos and Abuja to rural roads across the states. The Corps has been involved in traffic management, accident response, public education, and enforcement, often under difficult conditions.
Speaking on the achievement, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, who was represented at the event by ACM Meshach Adigizi Jatau, Principal Staff Officer to the Corps Marshal, described the award as a national honor and a collective achievement of both the agency and the public.
“This recognition reflects our continued collaboration with stakeholders and the Nigerian people,” Biu said. “It is a result of years of innovation, community engagement, and shared responsibility in promoting safer roads.”
The Corps has adopted several strategies in recent years to improve its operations. These include the use of speed-detecting and body cameras, grassroots campaigns on road safety, and educational outreach in schools.
The award also highlights the Federal Government’s support for road safety initiatives. Under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, investment in infrastructure and safety technology has increased, further enhancing the capacity of agencies like the FRSC.
The Kofi Annan Road Safety Awards are organized by the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Road Safety, in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation and other international bodies. The event brings African countries together to share knowledge and recognize outstanding contributions to traffic safety.
While the award is a moment of pride for Nigeria, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in reducing road accidents. The FRSC has called for continued cooperation among road users, government agencies, and the private sector to build on this achievement.
“This is a shared victory,” Biu stated. “The responsibility of road safety rests on all of us—drivers, passengers, policymakers, and enforcement officers alike.”
