The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackle the growing menace of fake driving schools across the country, stressing that proper driver education is critical to reducing road crashes and saving lives.
Mohammed made this assertion on Monday in Abuja during the 2025 National Workshop for Driving School Proprietors and Instructors. The event brought together stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on strategies for improving standards in driver training.
“We have been on this for a long time. You cannot completely eliminate fake driving schools, but with efforts such as this, we will reduce crashes to the barest minimum,” the Corps Marshal said.
He noted that while human error remains the leading cause of road traffic accidents, the solution lies in equipping drivers with the right skills and knowledge through accredited and properly monitored institutions.
“Our focus is to identify and support genuine driving schools that have the capacity to transform drivers’ behavior and reduce road crashes,” he added.
Mohammed further underscored the importance of the Safe Systems Accord initiative, which recognizes that human error is inevitable and promotes systems designed to accommodate such lapses without fatal consequences.
“Driving schools serve as the first line of defense in preparing drivers to operate vehicles safely, and repeated training remains a key strategy,” he said.
“If we continue to train drivers and retrain them properly, we will build a generation of motorists who are alert, skilled, and capable of managing risk.”
According to Mohammed, the workshop is part of a broader national campaign that will extend to key cities including Lagos, Oshogbo, and Kano. The initiative is aimed at gathering feedback and establishing best practices that will inform a new framework for consistent driver education and reduced crash statistics.
“We hope that from these discussions, a strong community will emerge to support our mission of safer roads,” he said.
“These series of engagements will foster a robust community of stakeholders committed to upholding safety standards and restoring integrity to driver’s training in Nigeria.”
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Also speaking at the event, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, emphasized the need to institutionalize standardized training for drivers and riders across Nigeria. Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Dr. Elechi Chinedum, highlighted the direct link between road safety and national development.
“It is my distinct honour to commend the FRSC for its commitment to promoting highway safety, especially through the DSSP, which regulates driving school operations,” Wike said.
He described the theme of the workshop — “Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria through Standardised Drivers and Riders Training” — as timely and crucial, given the essential role transportation plays in economic and social activities.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of economic and social activities, yet thousands of Nigerians lose their lives or suffer injuries due to poor training of the drivers,” he noted.
“Effective training and continuous capacity development for instructors are crucial to producing safe, skilled, and responsible road users.”
Wike also stressed that standardization in driver education would not only reduce the number of accidents but also unlock economic opportunities and protect lives.
“Standardisation in the education of drivers will reduce crashes, unlock economic opportunities, and protect lives,” he said.
The workshop concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration among government agencies, private sector operators, and civil society groups to ensure a safer driving culture and uphold the integrity of driver education nationwide.