FRSC Urges Youth Participation In Road Safety Advocacy

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for increased youth involvement in road safety advocacy to address the rising number of traffic accidents involving young Nigerians.

Deputy Corps Marshal Pauline Olaye, representing Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2025 Award Ceremony of the VIA GreenLight Initiative on Safe Mobility, held at TotalEnergies House.

Mohammed highlighted the severity of road traffic injuries, describing them as a leading cause of death among young people in Nigeria. “The burden of road crashes is not just a statistic — it represents families torn apart, dreams cut short, and communities set back,” he said.

He emphasized that partnerships such as the GreenLight Initiative’s Safe Mobility Project are essential. “By combining advocacy, education, and youth engagement, we can drive real change on our roads,” Mohammed added.

The FRSC reiterated its commitment to collaborating with government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organizations to promote safer, inclusive, and sustainable mobility nationwide.

Mohammed commended the GreenLight Initiative and its partners for empowering young advocates, and he praised TotalEnergies for supporting the project since February, enabling it to reach schools and communities in Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Award recipients were recognized for their contributions to road safety and encouraged to continue serving as ambassadors of safe driving practices in their communities. “Every positive action, no matter how small, contributes to saving lives and building a safer nation,” Mohammed said.

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for people aged 5–29 years globally. In Nigeria, unsafe road practices, poor infrastructure, and limited safety awareness exacerbate the risk, particularly among young road users.

Matthieu Bouyer, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria, noted that the VIA Safe Mobility for Youths initiative equips students with the skills to identify and navigate road risks. “This programme empowers young minds to develop practical solutions to road safety challenges in their communities,” he said.

Launched in May 2025, the initiative engaged over 600 students from 30 public secondary schools in Lagos, Rivers, and the FCT through classroom sessions, risk-mapping walks, and creative presentations. Government Secondary School, Orozo (FCT), emerged as national champion, followed by Government Girls Secondary School, Orominieke (Rivers State), and Army Day Secondary School, Asokoro (FCT).