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FRSC Revives Annual Lecture Series Under CM Shehu Mohammed, Ushering in New Era of Road Safety Leadership

Published

6 months ago

September 6, 2025

FRSC Revives Annual Lecture Series Under CM Shehu Mohammed, Ushering in New Era of Road Safety Leadership

By Bisi Kazeem

On Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, came alive, not with the formality of ceremony but with the urgency of purpose. It hosted a gathering of some of the finest minds in leadership, law, academia, security, technology, and global road safety, as Nigeria reawakened an important intellectual tradition: the FRSC Annual Lecture Series.

First instituted in 2009, the Annual Lecture Series was designed as a platform for ideas, policy direction, and sustained awareness on the menace of road crashes. Over the years, it attracted distinguished voices, from Chief Emeka Anyaoku, CON, CFR, who spoke on “Capital Waste on Nigeria Roads”, to Prince Michael of Kent and Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy on Road Safety.

These lectures inspired policy shifts and created a knowledge hub for stakeholders across sectors.

Now, after a brief hiatus, the Lecture Series was reintroduced under the visionary leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, mni, a man who has come to symbolise innovation, pragmatism, and unrelenting commitment to safer highways. Since his assumption of office, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed has pursued a reformist agenda that aligns road safety not only with enforcement but with technology, research, and inter-agency collaboration.

Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, the Vice President underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to safer roads. He called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant stakeholders to recommit themselves to the implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy.

He noted that while progress has been made, much work is still required to reduce the burden of road crashes across Nigeria. He implored government and private sector stakeholders to pursue homegrown solutions while collaborating with global partners to ensure safer roads and sustainable transport systems.

The event was graced by ministers, legislators, senior security chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of international organisations — all affirming that road safety is not just a transport issue but a matter of national development.

Under his stewardship, the FRSC has:
Gone paperless by introducing an electronic document management system, enhancing transparency and efficiency within the Corps; Strengthened synergy with sister security agencies, recognising that road safety is inseparable from national security; Deepened partnerships with universities, innovators, and ministries to harness digital solutions for smarter traffic management. Reinvigorated drivers’ training and retraining programmes, ensuring that the culture of safe driving is instilled at the grassroot level of governance, as well as; Championed the integration of road safety into national development discourse, ensuring that every crash prevented is treated not just as an enforcement victory, but as a triumph for public health and economic growth.

These milestones are not isolated achievements. They are stepping stones toward a larger vision, one that places Nigeria firmly in the global conversation about emerging transport systems, safe mobility, and sustainable development.

The theme of this year’s Lecture; “Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership for Optimal Performance”is both timely and forward-looking.

The keynote was delivered by Mr. Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the FIA Foundation, London, one of the most respected global advocates for road safety and sustainable transport. His perspectives have set the tone for a multi sectoral dialogue enriched by distinguished discussants, including: Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, President of the Court of Appeal (bringing the justice system’s perspective on road safety and NGOs), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Chief of Defence Staff (on national security and safety management), Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (on digitalization and innovation for highway safety), Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja (on education and research in road safety), and Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (on the role of law and professional bodies). Together, they will interrogate how Nigeria can translate global best practices into homegrown solutions for safer, smarter roads.

For Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, the reintroduction of this Lecture Series is not about prestige. It is about people. It is about the countless lives lost daily to preventable crashes; the families torn apart by grief; the economic toll of injuries and fatalities; and the urgent responsibility of government and citizens alike to reverse the tide. He has risen to this challenge because road crashes remain a leading killer of young people worldwide.

In Nigeria, they claim thousands of lives annually, most of them in the most productive age bracket. Every statistic represents a human story, a dream cut short, and a contribution lost to the nation.

Thus, the FRSC Lecture Series is not just another high-level dialogue. It is a clarion call for a national movement: one that brings the government, private sector, academia, civil society, and citizens into a common resolve. A resolve that says our roads must no longer be corridors of tragedy but avenues of opportunity and growth.

Looking back at the roster of past speakers, ranging from His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana, to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, the Lecture Series has consistently set the bar high.

Each edition contributed to shaping Nigeria’s journey toward safer highways. But this 8th edition marks more than a continuation. It signals a rebirth. A statement that the FRSC, under its present leadership, is not only guarding the roads but also guiding the nation’s vision of mobility in the 21st century.

As I earlier stated at the beginning of this article, on September 3rd, 2025, when the Banquet Hall doors opened and the Vice President declared the Lecture Series underway, it was not be just another calendar event, it marked the beginning of a renewed national conversation. One that recognises that every crash prevented is a life saved. One that affirms that safe mobility is the foundation of development. One that ignites a movement for safe roads, bright futures, and a Nigeria where journeys end in joy, not grief.

This 8th edition was more than a continuation. It signalled a rebirth, a statement that the FRSC, under its present leadership, is not only guarding the roads but also guiding the nation’s vision of mobility in the 21st century.

The FRSC Annual Lecture Series is back. And with it, a promise: that Nigeria’s road to the future will be safer, smarter, and shared by all.

DCM Bisi Kazeem fsi (rtd)

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MURIC Briefs Public on Latest Development in UI–ISI Hijab Appeal

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9 hours ago

March 6, 2026

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MURIC Briefs Public on Latest Development in UI–ISI Hijab Appeal

The Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has updated the public on the latest development in the ongoing appeal over the controversial hijab dispute involving the University of Ibadan and the International School Ibadan.

In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation said proceedings took place at the Court of Appeal on March 6, 2026, where the appellants — the University of Ibadan, International School Ibadan and three other parties — moved an application seeking an extension of time to compile and transmit the record of appeal in the case.

According to MURIC, the application, which was dated and filed on November 11, 2024, requested the court to grant an enlargement of time for the appellants to complete the process and also asked that the already compiled record be deemed as properly compiled and transmitted.

The court, after listening to submissions from counsel, granted the application as requested.

Following the ruling, the appellate court issued directives for the filing of briefs by the parties involved in the case.

The appellants were ordered to file their brief of argument within seven days, while the respondents are expected to file their brief within fourteen days after being served with the appellants’ brief. The appellants were also given an additional seven days to file a reply brief, if necessary, after receiving the respondents’ brief.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 29, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal.

MURIC further disclosed that eleven other related appeals connected to the hijab controversy had earlier been adjourned to the same date, meaning all the cases are expected to be heard together.

The legal team representing MURIC in the matter is led by Barrister Yusuf Anikulapo, who was present in court during the proceedings.

Reiterating its position, the organisation stated that it remains committed to pursuing justice and defending what it described as the fundamental rights of Muslim students to practice their religion freely, including the right to wear the hijab in schools.

MURIC therefore urged members of the Muslim community and the public to remain calm, prayerful and supportive as the legal process continues.

The statement was signed by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, General Secretary of MURIC, Oyo State Chapter.

MURIC Briefs Public on Latest Development in UI–ISI Hijab Appeal

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Power Generation Drops Below 4,000MW, Worsening Electricity Supply Across Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Power Generation Drops Below 4,000MW, Worsening Electricity Supply Across Nigeria

Electricity supply across Nigeria has worsened following a significant drop in power generation on the national grid, raising concerns among consumers and industry stakeholders over the stability of the country’s power sector.

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria indicates that generation recently fell to below 4,000 megawatts (MW), largely due to disruptions in gas supply to several thermal power plants that depend on gas to operate.

The development has resulted in reduced electricity allocation to distribution companies (DisCos), leading to extended outages and unstable power supply in many parts of the country.

Officials in the power sector explained that most of Nigeria’s power plants are gas-fired, making the system highly vulnerable to fluctuations in gas availability. When supply is interrupted, generation capacity drops sharply, placing pressure on the national grid.

Industry observers say the situation may lead to wider blackouts if urgent measures are not taken to stabilise fuel supply to generating stations.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, which manages the national grid, has not announced a system-wide collapse but acknowledged ongoing operational challenges affecting power distribution.

Nigeria’s electricity grid has suffered repeated disruptions in recent years. Experts note that aging infrastructure, inadequate gas supply, and limited investment in generation and transmission capacity remain key factors contributing to persistent power shortages.

Consumers across several states have reported prolonged outages since the drop in generation, with businesses warning that unreliable electricity continues to increase the cost of operations as many rely on alternative power sources such as generators.

Energy analysts have called on the federal government and stakeholders in the power sector to accelerate reforms, improve gas supply security, and invest in renewable and alternative energy sources to reduce the country’s dependence on gas-powered plants.

Nigeria currently has an installed generation capacity of over 12,000MW, but actual output delivered to the grid typically ranges between 3,000MW and 5,000MW due to operational constraints.

Power Generation Drops Below 4,000MW, Worsening Electricity Supply Across Nigeria

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Kidnapped Ex‑Deputy Governor’s Father Found Dead as Police Nab Nine Suspects

Published

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March 6, 2026

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Ebonyi Ex‑Deputy Governor Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe

Kidnapped Ex‑Deputy Governor’s Father Found Dead as Police Nab Nine Suspects

The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that Ezeogo Francis Igwe, traditional ruler of Ndufu‑Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area and father of former deputy governor Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, was killed by his abductors a day after being kidnapped on his way to church. The tragic development was disclosed in a statement by the state police public relations officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The monarch was abducted on Sunday, March 1, 2026, by armed men riding motorcycles. Immediately following the incident, the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Nwifuru directed security agencies to launch a coordinated rescue operation and ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice. The governor described the abduction as “deeply troubling and totally unacceptable,” urging residents to assist authorities with credible information.