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By Moses Akaigwe
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs), describing it as a transformative programme attracting massive investments, creating jobs and accelerating Nigeria’s shift to sustainable transportation.
Mohammed also reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s transition to CNG-powered transportation and Electric Vehicles (EVs) meets the highest road safety standards.
He spoke during an interview with Motoring Editors and a presentation at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The summit, themed, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” brought together key stakeholders in the automotive and transportation sectors to discuss strategies for advancing Nigeria’s clean mobility agenda.
Mohammed said the Presidential CNG and EV initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those promoting climate action and sustainable transport systems.
He commended President Tinubu for driving the programme and for giving the FRSC a role in its implementation, noting that the initiative had already begun to stimulate investments across different segments of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
“This initiative has brought in so many investments. We have assembly plants producing electric vehicles and CNG vehicles, companies manufacturing CNG cylinders and conversion kits, and new technology that is creating opportunities for our youths,” he said.
According to the Corps Marshal, the initiative is expected to generate significant employment opportunities while positioning Nigeria as a major player in green transportation.
“Really, it is a massive investment coming into Nigeria, and it is producing massive jobs for the unemployment challenge we have,” he added.
Mohammed noted that the growing adoption of CNG and EV technology represented an important opportunity for Nigeria to develop its automotive industry, attract new investments and create employment, while also addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional fuels.
He, however, stressed that the transition to alternative-fuel vehicles must be accompanied by robust safety regulations, effective enforcement and continuous collaboration among stakeholders.
According to him, as Electric Vehicles and CNG-powered vehicles become increasingly common on Nigerian roads, regulatory institutions must evolve to address emerging technologies through specialised training, updated operational guidelines and strengthened enforcement mechanisms.
He disclosed that the FRSC was already positioning itself to support the country’s clean mobility transition by enhancing safety regulations, engaging critical stakeholders and developing operational frameworks tailored to EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.
The Corps Marshal emphasised that the benefits of cleaner mobility should extend beyond reducing carbon emissions to improving road safety, strengthening vehicle standards and building public confidence in emerging transport technologies.
He further stressed that achieving a safe and sustainable transition requires the collective efforts of road users, transport operators, vehicle manufacturers, conversion centres, regulators and other industry stakeholders.
He reiterated the Corps’ readiness to continue working with government agencies, industry players and development partners to ensure that Nigeria’s journey towards cleaner transportation delivers lasting safety, environmental and economic benefits for all citizens.
Mohammed also linked the administration’s transport reforms to broader infrastructure development, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, which he said would contribute to achieving a safer and more efficient transport system.
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He said the government was moving towards meeting the United Nations target of providing “a safe, accessible, affordable, reliable and sustainable transport system for all Nigerians by 2030.”
Road safety is collective responsibility.
On road safety, the FRSC boss stressed that reducing crashes and fatalities should not be left to the agency alone, insisting that road safety is a collective responsibility involving government, communities and citizens.
“Road Safety Agenda and Road Safety Principle should not be left to the FRSC alone. It should be a collective responsibility for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mohammed acknowledged that while the FRSC has carried out public enlightenment campaigns for more than three decades, greater involvement from state governments, local authorities, traditional rulers and community leaders is needed.
He said the Corps had shifted part of its awareness strategy from motor parks to grassroots town-hall engagements in order to reach drivers, passengers and community stakeholders directly.
“When you see a bad driving culture, stop the person, tell him. Let him be embarrassed. It is a shared responsibility,” he stated.
The Corps Marshal expressed concern over dangerous driving practices, including speeding, overloading and the mixing of passengers, goods and animals in the same vehicle, which he said contributes significantly to road crashes.
He also appealed to passengers to speak up when drivers engage in reckless behaviour, particularly overspeeding.
Mohammed praised NAJA and the media for supporting the FRSC’s road safety campaigns and called for stronger collaboration with journalists to achieve the goal of reducing road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries by half before 2030.
Legacy anchored on partnership, technology
On his legacy, the Corps Marshal said his focus remains on consistency, technology-driven operations, personnel development and institutional collaboration.
“The legacy I want to leave is partnership, collaboration and bringing out the best of FRSC staff to serve Nigerians and project the image of the Corps,” he said.
Alternative headline options:
FRSC Boss Hails Tinubu’s CNG, EV Initiative, Says Programme Is Creating Massive Jobs
Tinubu’s CNG, EV Drive Attracting Massive Investments, Creating Jobs — Shehu Mohammed
CNG, EV Initiative: Tinubu Opening New Investment, Job Opportunities — FRSC
FRSC Backs Tinubu’s Clean Mobility Drive, Seeks Stronger Safety Standards
Tinubu’s CNG, EV Initiative Will Transform Nigeria’s Transport Sector — FRSC Boss
