Nigeria emerges hub for Africa’s road safety coordination with new secretariat

Nigeria has reinforced its leadership in continental road safety governance with the inauguration of the Executive Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) in Abuja.

The inauguration, attended by heads of road safety agencies, international delegates, and key stakeholders from across Africa, marks a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration, coordination, and knowledge-sharing aimed at reducing road traffic fatalities across the continent.

 

 

Speaking at the event, on Tuesday in Abuja, Shehu Mohammed, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), described the development as a bold affirmation of Africa’s collective resolve to safeguard lives and advance sustainable mobility.

 

 

He noted that the co-location of AARSLA and WARSO in a fully equipped Secretariat reflects unity of purpose and will enhance efficiency in coordinating road safety initiatives across Africa.

 

“It is equally noteworthy that Nigeria, through the FRSC, has served as the Secretariat of WARSO for the fifteen Member States in West Africa since its establishment in 2008. With this inauguration, both WARSO and AARSLA are now co-located in a fully furnished Secretariat, symbolizing unity of purpose and efficiency in continental coordination.

Read also: Abuja residents groan over bloated house rent, seek govt. intervention

“The establishment of this Secretariat is a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to continental leadership and regional integration, which are key pillars of our foreign policy. It reinforces our role as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange and technical cooperation in road safety management across Africa,” he said.

 

 

Mohammed recalled that Nigeria’s emergence as host of the Secretariat fulfilled a commitment made during the first AARSLA General Assembly in Lusaka, Zambia, in June 2025.

 

 

He added that Nigeria has also served as the Secretariat of WARSO since its establishment in 2008, supporting 15 West African member states in building resilient road safety institutions.

 

He emphasised that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s foreign policy direction under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises regional cooperation, strategic partnerships, and Africa’s leadership in global affairs.

 

 

According to him, the Secretariat will serve as a centre for capacity building, technical cooperation, and policy harmonisation, enabling African countries to move from fragmented interventions to a more coordinated, results-driven framework.

 

 

The Corps Marshal further highlighted the role of AARSLA as a strategic platform spanning all 54 African countries, built on the pillars of exchange, learning, and advocacy to strengthen professional competence and amplify Africa’s voice in global road safety discourse.

 

 

Also speaking, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, represented by Pam Bot-Mang, underscored the importance of inclusive and equitable road safety systems.

Read also: Crude oil supply to local refineries fell 53% short of target in Q1

She noted that road traffic crashes remain a major challenge across Africa, with significant social and economic consequences, stressing that the new Secretariat provides a vital platform for collaboration, data sharing, and the adoption of innovative, technology-driven solutions.

 

“The success of this initiative will depend on strong partnerships, improved data systems, and effective enforcement mechanisms,” she said, adding that protecting vulnerable road users must remain central to all efforts.

 

The establishment of the Secretariat is also linked to broader continental efforts under the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP), a World Bank-supported initiative that has shaped transport policy in Africa for over three decades.