FG inaugurates Africa road safety secretariat to boost trade, regional integration
The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), pledging to leverage them for economic diplomacy
The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), pledging to leverage them for economic diplomacy by enhancing trade, mobility, and regional integration through safer roads.
Speaking at the inauguration of the office, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, said 5e establishment of the secretariat was a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to continental leadership and regional integration, which are key pillars of our foreign policy.
He said the initiative reinforces Nigeria’s role as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange and technical cooperation in road safety management across Africa, aligning closely with Nigeria’s foreign policy direction under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which emphasises regional cooperation, strategic partnerships and Africa’s leadership in global affairs.
Mohammed added that the development also reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that safer roads are central to improving national productivity and citizens’ quality of life.
“Distinguished colleagues, the Renewed Hope Agenda reminds us that governance must translate into tangible benefits for citizens. Safer roads are fundamental to this vision; they protect lives, support economic activities, and strengthen national productivity. Therefore, our work here is not just technical; it is transformational,” he said.
The FRSC boss said the inauguration of the office fulfils his pledge, made in June last year in Lusaka, Zambia, during the first General Assembly of AARSLA, that Nigeria would provide a befitting secretariat for the association.
He explained that while Nigeria, through the FRSC, has served as WARSO’s secretariat since its establishment in 2008, the new facility now co-locates both WARSO and AARSLA in a single edifice, symbolising unity of purpose and efficiency in continental coordination.
Mohammed noted that Nigeria has consistently supported member countries in strengthening road safety institutions, adding that its Lead Agency model has been replicated across several nations.
“These achievements underscore Nigeria’s readiness to lead through service, collaboration, and shared expertise,” he said.
According to him, AARSLA, with membership across all 54 African countries, represents a strategic platform for advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Built on the pillars of Exchange, Learn, and Advocate, it fosters peer collaboration, strengthens professional competence, and amplifies Africa’s voice in global road safety discourse,” he said.
He further described AARSLA as a mechanism for harmonising fragmented efforts into a coordinated continental framework, consistent with the vision of a united and prosperous Africa.
“As AARSLA continues to grow with strong institutional backing and expanding membership, it stands as a testament to what Africa can achieve through unity and shared purpose. It is also a practical expression of economic diplomacy, where safer roads enhance trade, mobility, and regional integration,” Mohammed added.
He assured that Nigeria, through the FRSC, would continue to support the full operations of the AARSLA/WARSO Secretariat as a centre of excellence for Africa.
The Vice President of AARSLA, Areil Sacramento, said the event was not merely ceremonial but a recognition that no country can tackle the challenge of road fatalities alone.
Quoting statistics from the World Health Organisation indicating that Africa records 27 deaths per 100,000 people annually from road crashes, he said collective action across the continent would help reverse the trend.
“Behind each of these numbers are lives lost, families shattered, communities affected, and futures interrupted. Road insecurity carries an immense human, social, and economic cost,” he said.
Sacramento recalled that Benin was a founding member of WARSO and hosted its secretariat for almost a decade, stressing the importance of sustained regional collaboration.
“By working together, across borders, sharing the same realities, we can accelerate our efforts and deliver meaningful, lasting impact,” he said.
He congratulated Nigeria on hosting AARSLA's headquarters and expressed deep gratitude for providing facilities for the continental and sub-regional bodies.
“Let this moment not be just an inauguration. Let it be a decisive step forward—a renewed commitment to collaboration, to action, and to saving lives on our roads,” he said.
