FRSC boss Shehu Mohammed warns rising misconduct threatens Corps’ integrity and public trust.
He urges commanders to enforce discipline and fix growing cases of bribery, abuse, and negligence.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has expressed concern over growing misconduct within the agency, warning that rising cases of indiscipline, bribery, drug abuse, and unprofessional behavior could damage public confidence and tarnish the Corps’ reputation.
Speaking during the 2025 Half-Year Strategy Session held in Abuja, Mohammed urged commanding officers to urgently address internal challenges and enforce discipline at all levels. Themed “Driving Change from Within: Reinforcing Integrity, Accountability, and Performance,” the session highlighted key issues affecting the agency’s performance.
“There are growing reports of misconduct during patrols, including corruption, poor supervision, absenteeism, and a worrying rise in incivility toward motorists,” the Corps Marshal stated. “These issues are threatening our administrative effectiveness and damaging the trust Nigerians have placed in us.”
He emphasized that commanders must take full responsibility for the actions of their personnel and ensure swift disciplinary action where necessary. Mohammed called for a cultural shift within the Corps, stressing the importance of leadership accountability and a firm chain of command.
“We must address the culture of compromise and the ethical decay that is undermining our values. Every CO must identify and correct emerging behavioral lapses within their ranks,” he said.
Mohammed also advocated for a system that rewards high-performing officers while penalizing negligence and misconduct. He urged officers to uphold professionalism, especially as the Corps faces budgetary limitations.
“We must explore strategic partnerships, particularly with state governments, to support our operations and bridge funding gaps,” he added.
Despite these internal hurdles, the FRSC has made notable progress on the global stage. Nigeria recently received the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award for Best in Road Safety Management in Africa and was chosen to host the Permanent Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies.
“These milestones reflect the commitment of FRSC personnel and the strong support of the Federal Government,” Mohammed noted.
On legislative reforms, he revealed that the FRSC Amendment Bill had passed the House of Representatives and awaits Senate approval. The bill will rename the agency to the Nigeria Road Safety Commission, broaden its operations to all public roads, and establish a dedicated armed squad.
The bill also proposes consolidating the salaries of top officers and expanding the Corps’ authority through the Nigeria Road Safety Commission Act, 2024.
As part of ongoing internal restructuring, the Corps recently concluded a major promotion exercise that saw three Assistant Corps Marshals promoted to Deputy Corps Marshals, 18 Corps Commanders elevated to ACMs, and over 1,200 other officers advance in rank.
“The management remains committed to creating an environment that fosters excellence, motivation, and productivity,” Mohammed stated.
Further strengthening its safety efforts, the FRSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to enhance transport sector safety. The partnership will enable broader, coordinated safety investigations across aviation, road, and rail sectors.
NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., described the collaboration as vital to improving safety outcomes. “We’re here to make safety recommendations and support the FRSC in protecting lives on our roads,” he said, applauding the Corps’ recent progress in responsiveness and enforcement.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Sanusi Danjuma, Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, officially declared the session open. He praised the FRSC for its resilience despite financial and logistical constraints.
Quoting road crash data from January to May 2025 2,406 deaths and over 33,000 injuries Akume called for stronger enforcement, public education, and synergy among relevant stakeholders.
He also acknowledged the Corps’ digital strides, including the FRSC mobile app and the National Crash Information System, which have improved monitoring, data collection, and policy development.
“Government remains committed to supporting your mission to achieve zero road traffic deaths,” he assured.
