President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to a future where road traffic crashes (RTCs) no longer claim lives.
Delivering the keynote address at the International Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims Conference in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, said the era of preventable highway deaths must end.
“The conference’s theme, ‘Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims,’ reflects a shared resolve to tackle the epidemic of road crashes affecting families and communities nationwide,” he said.
Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, the President noted that about 1.19 million people die globally from RTCs each year, with another 50 million sustaining various injuries. He said almost every Nigerian has either suffered or knows someone affected by a road crash, with many victims living with permanent scars and long-term trauma.
Tinubu highlighted government initiatives aimed at improving road safety, including the ongoing Lagos–Calabar coastal road project, nationwide rehabilitation works, and the expansion of rail and water transport systems. He added that the government is supporting state governments in delivering modern highway infrastructure to ensure safer travel.
“The Federal Government’s presence at this event, alongside global partners, civil society, and survivors, underscores our collective responsibility to make road safety a human rights imperative,” he said.
He urged participants to share knowledge, adopt global best practices, and strengthen international collaboration in line with the Safe System approach and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
“Nigeria must move beyond words to decisive action if we are to reverse the rising fatalities on our roads. Road traffic deaths have become a national emergency,” he added, noting that the government would consider the conference’s recommendations to further strengthen road safety policies.
Tinubu commended plans to establish a private sector-led world-class trauma centre for crash victims and lauded the KRSD Foundation for its commitment to “dignifying a life by saving a life” in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). He expressed confidence that sustained awareness campaigns and collaborative efforts would help curb road dangers and enhance public knowledge of victims’ plight.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, called for increased global political commitment to supporting road crash victims. He described the conference as a landmark event, attracting international scholars and participants, and emphasised that partnerships with NGOs and CSOs have strengthened FRSC’s ability to deliver on its mandate.
Mohammed stressed that collaboration fosters discipline, respect for human life, and public safety, and reaffirmed FRSC’s commitment to expanding interventions to ensure that crash victims receive the attention and support they deserve.
