FRSC advances smart transport agenda, mourns 32 road crash victims

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deploying technology to transform Nigeria’s transport sector while intensifying efforts to reduce road traffic fatalities, following a landmark international engagement on the Smart National Transport Databank Project and three fatal crashes that claimed 32 lives in Kogi, Ogun and Kwara states.

In furtherance of the Federal Government’s drive to modernise the nation’s transport system, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed joined the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajuddeen, on a high level official visit to Cairo, Egypt, to advance implementation of the Smart National Transport Databank Project.

This was contained in statement signed by corps spokesperson Osondu Ohaeri in Abuja on Monday.

The visit followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and Asia Arab Investment (AAI) in Abuja on 15 June 2026, marking the transition of the project from the planning stage to implementation.

Led by the Speaker, the Nigerian delegation comprised the Corps Marshal, the Director-General and Chief Executive of NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunso Olusesan Adebiyi, and other senior government officials.
According to the statement, the Smart National Transport Databank Project is expected to establish an integrated national transport database capable of generating reliable, real time information to support transport planning, infrastructure development, road safety administration, enforcement operations, crash analysis and evidence based policymaking.

Speaking during the engagement, the Corps Marshal described the initiative as a transformative national asset that would significantly enhance the Corps’ operational effectiveness through improved crash prediction, traffic management, strategic deployment of personnel and resources, compliance monitoring and service delivery.

According to him, the project reflects the future of transport governance, where technology, innovation and institutional collaboration drive safer roads and more efficient transportation systems across the country.

A major highlight of the Cairo visit was the unveiling of proposed Driver Training and Development Centres to be established across Nigeria by ARCORP Egypt in partnership with FRSC and NITT under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The centres are expected to improve driver education, promote professionalism, strengthen capacity development and reduce road traffic crashes nationwide.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajuddeen, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to providing the legislative support required for the successful implementation of the project, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation, infrastructure development and economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Corps has expressed profound grief over three separate road traffic crashes recorded between Sunday, 5 and Monday, 6 July 2026, which claimed 32 lives and left 26 others injured.

The first crash occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday along the Okene–Lokoja Road near Confluence University, Osara, Kogi State. The crash involved a MAN truck and a Toyota Sienna commercial bus carrying 10 occupants. Seven persons lost their lives while three others sustained injuries and were taken to Abobo General Hospital. Preliminary investigation attributed the crash to tyre burst.
Later the same day, at about 8:05 p.m., another fatal crash occurred at Sapade Bridge along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway in Ogun State involving a SINOTRUK truck and a Toyota Hiace bus. Eighteen persons were involved, with 10 fatalities, six injured and two escaping unhurt. Preliminary findings identified speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving as the major causes after the truck created a hazardous situation on the highway.
Tragedy struck again in the early hours of Monday at Oko-Olowo along the Ogbomosho–Oloru Road in Kwara State when a DAF trailer conveying passengers and goods crashed. The lone crash involved 48 male adults, resulting in 15 deaths, 17 injuries and 16 survivors. Investigation points to driver fatigue as the immediate cause, while the high casualty figure was aggravated by the illegal practice of conveying passengers alongside goods.
Reacting to the crashes, the Corps Marshal described the incidents as heartbreaking and entirely preventable, noting that persistent violations of traffic regulations including speeding, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, poor tyre maintenance, driver fatigue and mixed loading continue to threaten national road safety efforts.
He extended the Corps’ heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those receiving treatment a speedy recovery.
The Corps Marshal urged motorists, transport companies and commercial vehicle operators to prioritise safety by ensuring that only roadworthy vehicles are put on the road, tyres are properly maintained, speed limits are obeyed, drivers are adequately rested before embarking on journeys, and passengers are never transported together with goods.
He warned that the Corps would sustain aggressive enforcement against all traffic violations that endanger lives, while reaffirming FRSC’s commitment to safer roads through strategic enforcement, public enlightenment, prompt emergency response and stronger technology driven transport management.