The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigerian students and all road users, following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The meeting, convened at the instance of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, came in response to growing concerns over recent crashes involving articulated vehicles, which claimed the lives of students in Edo State.
Mohammed expressed condolences to the bereaved families, stressing that every life lost on Nigeria’s highways was “a wound to the conscience of the nation.” He assured students that their concerns were shaping concrete actions to curb reckless driving by truck operators.
“Our students are the future of this country. Losing them to avoidable crashes is not just painful, it is highly unacceptable,” Mohammed said. “This meeting is not about shifting blame but about finding lasting solutions together.”
The Corps Marshal outlined ongoing measures to reduce truck-related accidents, including collaborations with fleet operators such as Dangote and BUA, as well as training and certification of thousands of heavy-duty drivers across depots in Ibese, Obajana, Okpella, and Gboko. The training focuses on defensive driving, fatigue management, and compliance with traffic regulations.
He revealed that more than 2,700 trucks had recently undergone safety checks under FRSC’s annual fleet certification exercise, while new technologies are being deployed to monitor driver behaviour. Efforts also include enforcement of speed-limiting devices and improved safety standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
Beyond enforcement, Mohammed said the FRSC is engaging students, transport unions, fleet owners, and community leaders through nationwide town hall meetings to promote behavioural change and road safety awareness.
“This engagement with NANS is not a one-off meeting but the beginning of a sustained partnership with Nigerian students,” he said, adding that the corps would continue to combine empathy, enforcement, and education to prevent needless tragedies.
NANS representative and former president Lucky Omonefe commended the dialogue, noting that the meeting showed sincerity and respect for the student community. “We came with anger, but we are leaving with hope. Dialogue is the tool we must all embrace to stop recklessness and reduce carnage on our roads,” he said.
