Nigeria, in collaboration with other West African nations, is set to implement a unified driver’s license and vehicle registration system aimed at streamlining transportation and improving road safety. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Road Safety Organisation.
At a workshop on inter-agency collaboration in Abuja on Tuesday, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele, unveiled plans for the Regional Vehicle Administration and Information System. He stated that this system would standardize driver’s licenses, vehicle number plates, and relevant documentation across the region.
Mohammed emphasized that the initiative aims to facilitate the free movement of vehicles, people, goods, and services within ECOWAS member states. “The FRSC is partnering with ECOWAS through the West African Road Safety Organisation to adopt a uniform licensing scheme,” he said. “This will include common driver’s licenses, vehicle number plates, and documentation, as well as enforcement of traffic infractions and generation of critical data across West Africa.”
The proposed scheme, once fully implemented, will not only promote seamless vehicle registration across the region but also prevent multiple registrations and reduce vehicle theft. “Under the auspices of ECOWAS, the FRSC is working towards partnering with members of the West African Road Safety Organisation to develop digital number plates and motor vehicle particulars that are weather-resistant,” Mohammed added.
In a notable innovation, the initiative aims to link each driver’s license to the holder’s bank account, integrating it with digital payment systems. “These initiatives aim to connect the national driver’s license to the owner’s bank account, which will serve not only as a form of identification but also as a debit card,” he explained. This integration aligns with the FRSC’s overarching strategy to collaborate with the banking sector to enhance highway enforcement.
This regional effort marks a significant step towards modernizing transportation systems in West Africa, improving safety, and fostering economic integration among member states.
