Kehinde Fajobi
Nigeria and other West African nations are preparing to implement a unified driver’s licence and vehicle registration system, aiming to streamline regional transportation and bolster road safety.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed announced the initiative on Tuesday during a workshop in Abuja, underscoring that the collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) will establish a Regional Vehicle Administration and Information System.
Represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele, Mohammed outlined that the project intends to unify driver’s licences, vehicle plates, and essential documentation across the region.
“This initiative is geared towards having a common driver’s license, vehicle number plates, and documentation,” said Mohammed.
He explained that the system would also cover “the enforcement of traffic infractions and the generation of critical data across West Africa,” with the goal of easing vehicle registration and facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services across ECOWAS nations as per the protocol on free movement.
FRSC added that the system would help prevent duplicate registrations and combat vehicle theft. It aims to adopt digital number plates and vehicle particulars using resilient, weather-proof acrylic material.
“This initiative also proposes linking each driver’s licence to the holder’s bank account, allowing it to function within digital payment systems,” Mohammed noted, describing it as a step toward enhanced highway enforcement by integrating financial institutions with the FRSC.