Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road safety through smarter transportation systems, stronger partnerships, and technology-driven solutions.

Shettima spoke at the eighth edition of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Annual Lecture Series, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, against the backdrop of grim statistics showing that Nigeria still records about 5,000 deaths and 31,154 injuries annually from road crashes despite decades of awareness campaigns, legislation, and enforcement.

Chairing the National Road Safety Advisory Council, Shettima emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility.

“The duty of keeping our roads safe cannot be performed in isolation. We must fully engage all levels of government, the private sector, and civil society. Every crash statistic represents a broken family, a future cut short. Our task is to translate the ideas generated here into practical actions that will resonate across our highways,” he said.

He commended FRSC for 37 years of consistent enforcement and public sensitization, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to implementing the National Road Safety Strategy through heavy investment in road construction, maintenance, and expansion.

International partners, including the FIA Foundation, were also applauded for supporting Nigeria’s alignment with global best practices.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described the lecture series as a “strategic platform for dialogue, innovation, and knowledge sharing.”

He said this year’s theme — Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership for Optimal Performance — was timely as the world adapts to electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, smart traffic systems, and digital logistics platforms.

“Every road crash is not just a number; it is a human tragedy and a national development challenge. Road safety is a human rights issue and a priority for productivity and social well-being,” Akume stated.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, noted that reviving the lecture series — last held in 2017 — underscores the urgency of mobilizing global and domestic partnerships to reduce crash statistics.

He stressed that the pending FRSC Establishment Bill before the National Assembly would strengthen enforcement powers and improve staff welfare.

“The figures we record each year underscore the urgent need to mobilize human and material resources to fully implement the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy,” he said.

This year’s lecture aimed to generate actionable outcomes capable of saving lives, shaping policy, and positioning Nigeria’s transport sector for global competitiveness.