Participate in Road Safety Campaigns to Curb Rising Traffic Crashes, FRSC Charges Youth

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for increased youth participation in road safety advocacy as part of efforts to tackle the growing number of traffic accidents involving young Nigerians.

Deputy Corps Marshal, Pauline Olaye made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while representing the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, at the 2025 VIA GreenLight Initiative Award Ceremony on Safe Mobility, held at the TotalEnergies House.

Mohammed described road traffic injuries as one of the major causes of death among young people in Nigeria, warning that the trend has become a pressing national issue requiring collective intervention.

“The impact of road crashes goes beyond numbers—it’s about lives lost, families devastated, and communities disrupted,” he said.“That is why collaborations like this are essential. The GreenLight Initiative’s Safe Mobility Project demonstrates that with advocacy, education, and youth engagement, we can achieve meaningful change on our roads.”

The Corps Marshal reaffirmed FRSC’s commitment to working closely with government agencies, private organisations, and civil society groups to promote safer, more inclusive, and sustainable mobility across the country.

He commended the GreenLight Initiative and its partners for empowering young advocates to champion safe road practices nationwide and praised TotalEnergies for its consistent support since the launch of the Safe Mobility Project in February. According to him, the company’s investment has enabled the project to reach schools and communities in Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Mohammed also congratulated the award recipients for their contributions to road safety and urged them to continue championing responsible road use.

“Every action, no matter how small, plays a role in saving lives and creating a safer nation,” he added.

Nigeria continues to record one of the highest rates of road-related fatalities in Africa, with young people being the most affected.

Data from the World Health Organisation shows that road crashes are a leading cause of death among individuals aged 5 to 29 globally — a pattern mirrored in Nigeria due to unsafe driving habits, inadequate infrastructure, and limited safety awareness.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, Matthieu Bouyer, congratulated the awardees and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting youth-focused safety initiatives.

Bouyer explained that the VIA Safe Mobility for Youths programme was designed to empower students to become safety ambassadors by helping them identify and manage risks during their daily journeys.

“This programme gives young people a platform to share innovative ideas and develop practical solutions to the road safety challenges in their communities,” he said. “We are proud that it is fostering a culture of safety awareness and responsibility among the next generation.”