The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Muhammad, has highlighted the critical role of driving schools in promoting highway safety in Nigeria.
The corps marshal stated this at the opening of a two-day 2025 National Workshop for Driving School Proprietors and Instructors on Monday in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muhammad was represented by the Deputy Corps Marshall, Chidiebere Nkwonta
The theme of this year’s workshop is: ‘Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria Through Standardised Drivers’ and Riders’ Training’.
The corps marshal emphasised the need for renewed focus, fresh strategies, and unwavering commitment to excellence in drivers’ training.
He stressed that prevention through education was the most sustainable path to reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities.
Muhammad said driving schools were the first point of contact between would-be drivers and the culture of road safety, making their role critical in nation-building.
He said significant progress had been made through the ‘Driving Schools Standardisation Programme (DSSP).
According to Muhammad, gaps still exist, including some schools prioritising profit over safety, struggling with infrastructural deficits and regulatory compliance.
The corps marshal called on driving schools’ operators, instructors, and stakeholders to work together to address the existing gaps and promote highway safety.
He emphasised that the FRSC was not an adversary to driving schools’ operators, saying, “They are partners in achieving a shared mission of producing competent, courteous, and conscious drivers as well as riders.
” The FRSC is evolving towards a smarter and technology-driven regulatory approach.”
Muhammad encouraged the stakeholders to embrace the ideals of continuous improvement, ethical practice, and patriotism.
He reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to standardised drivers’ training and highway safety, adding that this is crucial to reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities in Nigeria.
“By working together, stakeholders can promote a culture of road safety and contribute to national growth, public health, and social harmony, “Muhammad said.
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, while declaring the workshop open, emphasised the importance of standardised driver training
The Governor was represented by Aliyu Tukur, the Director, Infrastructure, Ministry for Public Works and Infrastructure.
Sani emphasised that driving schools were vital institutions responsible for shaping the behaviour of drivers and riders on Nigerian roads.
He said that human error, often resulting from poor training, accounts for the majority of road traffic crashes in Nigeria.
Sani added, ” By standardising training and ensuring continuous capacity development for instructors, driving schools can play a crucial role in reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities.”
The governor stressed the importance of dialogue, empathy, and shared responsibility between operators and regulators in promoting highway safety.
Sani stated that misunderstandings and misalignments had undermined the goals of highway safety in the past, explained,” but through collective action, these challenges can be overcome.”
The governor pledged the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safety on Nigerian roads, whether through legislative support, infrastructural investments, or policy reforms.
Sani charged all the participants to engage actively, think innovatively, and commit to implementing the knowledge and insights gained from the workshop in their daily operations.
He urged the participants to see the workshop as a transformational platform that would strengthen the building blocks of a safer Nigeria, rather than just another ceremonial gathering.
Also, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), Kaduna , ACM Ahmad Umar , said the event, scheduled to hold across eight centres nationwide, aimed to promote highway safety in Nigeria through standardised driver and rider training.
Umar said the workshop’s structure had been curated to foster meaningful dialogue between driving schools’ proprietors, instructors, and regulatory bodies.
He said, “Through technical sessions, participants will engage in discussions aimed at deepening mutual understanding, addressing operational challenges, and strengthening collaboration.
“This approach is expected to build a resilient and forward-looking driving school sector that prioritises highway safety and competent road users.”
The ZCO urged the participants to seize the opportunity to learn, network, and share experiences.
Umar emphasised that their active engagement, constructive feedbacks, and innovative ideas were critical to the continued success of DSSP and the broader mission of safer roads in Nigeria.
” With the FRSC’s commitment to national safety and development, the workshop is poised to be a fruitful and rewarding experience for all the participants, ” he said.
