FG Inaugurates Africa Road Safety Secretariat, Strengthens Continental Trade and Integration

The Federal Government on Tuesday officially inaugurated the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA) and West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) secretariat, pledging to use the platform to advance economic diplomacy through safer roads, enhanced mobility, and deepened regional integration.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, described the establishment of the secretariat as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to continental leadership and regional cooperation, both of which are central pillars of the country’s foreign policy.

Mohammed said the initiative reinforces Nigeria’s role as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and technical cooperation in road safety management across Africa. He noted that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy direction, which emphasises strategic partnerships, regional collaboration, and Africa’s leadership in global affairs.

The FRSC boss stated that the inauguration fulfils a pledge he made in June last year in Lusaka, Zambia, during the first General Assembly of AARSLA, where he committed to providing a befitting secretariat for the association.

He explained that while Nigeria, through the FRSC, has served as the secretariat of WARSO since its establishment in 2008, the new facility now co-locates both WARSO and AARSLA in a single edifice, a move he said symbolises unity of purpose and greater efficiency in continental coordination.

Mohammed noted that Nigeria has consistently supported member countries in strengthening their road safety institutions, and 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 added.

According to him, AARSLA, with membership spanning 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, the association fosters peer collaboration, strengthens professional competence, and amplifies Africa’s voice in global road safety discourse.

He 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 said.

The Corps Marshal assured that Nigeria, through the FRSC, would continue to support the full operations of the AARSLA/WARSO Secretariat as a centre of excellence for the continent.

In his remarks, AARSLA Vice President Areil Sacramento described the inauguration as more than a ceremonial event, noting that no single country can tackle the challenge of road fatalities in isolation. Citing World Health Organisation statistics which show that Africa records 27 road deaths per 100,000 people annually, he stressed that collective action is essential to 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,” Sacramento said.

He recalled that Benin was a founding member of WARSO and hosted its secretariat for almost a decade, underscoring 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 added.

Sacramento congratulated Nigeria on hosting AARSLA’s headquarters and expressed deep gratitude for providing the facilities that will house both 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.