By Ibironke Ariyo/Lengnan Dapam Tobias
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled the secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) in Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration of the executive secretariat in Abuja, the Corps Marshall, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said the establishment of the secretariat was a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to continental leadership.
This, he said, included regional integration, which were key pillars of the foreign policy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AARSLA and WARSO secretariat, located at the premises of the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja, will serve as the administrative base for member countries of the association which include Nigeria, Mali, Benin Republic, Zambia, among others.
Mohammed said that the milestone aligned strongly with Nigeria’s foreign policy direction under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, which emphasised regional cooperation, strategic partnerships and Africa’s leadership in global affairs.
He said that it also reflected the core objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda: promoting safety, strengthening institutions and improving the quality of life for the citizens.
“This event represents the fulfilment of a commitment I made in June last year in Lusaka, Zambia, during the first General Assembly of AARSLA, when Nigeria emerged as the host nation of the executive secretariat.
“I pledged then that the FRSC would provide a befitting secretariat. Today, we are proud to deliver on that promise.
“It is equally noteworthy that Nigeria, through the FRSC, has served as the Secretariat of WARSO for the 15-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, symbolising unity of purpose and efficiency in continental coordination,” he said.
He added that it reinforced its role as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange and technical cooperation in road safety management across Africa.
Speaking further, the corps marshal said since the creation of WARSO 18 years ago, Nigeria has consistently supported sister nations in developing and strengthening their road safety institutions.
Mohammed said that the FRSC model had been replicated in several countries, contributing to improved safety outcomes and institutional resilience.
“These achievements underscore Nigeria’s readiness to lead through service, collaboration, and shared expertise.
“AARSLA, with its presence across all 54 countries in Africa, represents a strategic platform for advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond our borders.
“Built on the pillars of exchange, learning, and advocate, it fosters peer collaboration, strengthens professional competence, and amplifies Africa’s voice in global road safety discourse,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Centre National de Sécurité Routière (CNSR), Benin Republic, Mr Ariel Sacramento, called for collaboration among African countries to address road crashes.
Sacramento said “Our gathering today is not just ceremonial. It is a recognition that no country can address this challenge alone.
“Benin Republic is also a founding member of WARSO and held its secretariat for almost a decade.
“We believe in regional and continental cooperation. By working together, across borders, sharing the same realities, we can accelerate our efforts and deliver meaningful, lasting impact”.
Sacramento expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its unwavering support to AARSLA and to road safety initiatives across Africa.
He congratulated Nigeria for hosting the headquarters of AARSLA, and extended deep gratitude for offering the continent the facilities inaugurated.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hulayat Omidiran, described the inauguration of the secretariat as a major step toward strengthening continental collaboration on road safety.
Omidiran said that establishment of the secretariat marked an important milestone in advancing coordinated efforts to tackle road safety challenges across Africa.
The FCC boss congratulated the FRSC and its Corps Marshal on Nigeria’s emergence as host of the secretariat, noting that the development reflected the country’s leadership role in promoting safer roads across the continent.
According to her, road safety remains a shared continental concern that requires sustained collaboration among African countries.
“Across Africa, road traffic crashes continue to have serious social and economic consequences.
“This secretariat provides a vital platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the harmonisation of policies in line with global best practices and Agenda 2063,” she said.
Omidiran expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute significantly to safeguarding lives and enhancing transport systems across Africa.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and Yakubu Uba
