FRSC bows to pressure, releases 19,560 vehicle number plates

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

After months of delay and complaints, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), bowed to pressure by releasing 19,560 vehicle number plates to the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, in a statement yesterday, said that 15,205 pairs were delivered on 8 October 2026, comprising 15,169 pairs of private vehicle number plates, 32 pairs of private fancy plates, and four pairs of out-of-series plates.

According to him, 4,355 pairs were dispatched on 20 October 2026, comprising 1,998 pairs of private vehicle plates, 999 pairs of commercial vehicle plates, eight pairs of city government plates, 900 pairs of dealer plates, and 450 pairs of articulated vehicle plates, as captured in the dispatch records.

Ohaeri noted that the Corps considered it important to make the figures available to the public as part of its commitment to transparency, accountability and accurate public information on vehicle number plate production and distribution.

“This clarification is particularly necessary to distinguish between the production and dispatch of number plates by the FRSC and the subsequent administrative processes involved in their issuance to applicants by the relevant registration authorities.

“While acknowledging that members of the public may experience delays in obtaining their number plates after completing the necessary registration procedures, the Corps wishes to assure Nigerians that it remains committed to supporting a seamless and efficient vehicle registration system,” he said.

The spokesman explained that the availability of number plates “at the point of dispatch is an important component of this process, while timely issuance to applicants requires effective coordination among the institutions responsible for the different stages of vehicle registration.”

Then, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, reiterated the FRSC resolve to strengthen collaboration with relevant government agencies, including State Motor Licencing Authorities, to address operational bottlenecks, improve service delivery and ensure that motorists receive their number plates within reasonable timelines.

Mohammed encouraged the public experiencing delays in the collection of their number plates to seek clarification from the appropriate registration authorities, while assuring Nigerians that the Corps will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to promote greater efficiency, transparency and accountability across the vehicle registration process.

“The Corps remains committed to its statutory responsibility of ensuring proper vehicle identification and strengthening road safety through effective regulation, reliable vehicle registration systems and sustained institutional collaboration in the overall interest of the motoring public,” he said.