Nigeria and fellow West African countries are preparing to implement a unified driver’s license and vehicle registration system to streamline transportation and improve road safety across the region. This initiative, coordinated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Road Safety Organisation, was announced by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, at a workshop in Abuja.
Represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele, Mohammed revealed that the Regional Vehicle Administration and Information System will introduce standardized driver’s licenses, vehicle number plates, and essential documentation across ECOWAS nations. This harmonization aims to simplify cross-border travel and enhance data sharing, thereby fostering regional integration and road safety.
According to Mohammed, the unified system will curb multiple vehicle registrations, deter theft, and align with ECOWAS’s free movement protocol. The FRSC is also working with ECOWAS and the West African Road Safety Organisation to develop digital number plates and weather-resistant motor vehicle particulars.
Moreover, the initiative plans to link driver’s licenses with bank accounts, creating a system compatible with digital payments, which aligns with the FRSC’s strategy to incorporate banking sector support for traffic enforcement.
