By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to revise its policies to better accommodate and empower female drivers across the country.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the “Women on Wheels” summit on Tuesday in Abuja, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, described the initiative as a transformative platform for promoting gender inclusion, skill development, and safety.
The corps marshal was represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr Clement Oladele.
He said that the recent evaluations revealed that the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS), used for training and certifying haulage and fleet operators, had previously made no tailored provision for women.
This, he said, was a gap the corps was now addressing.
Considering the importance of women in society as the primary source of the socialisation process for children and families, the inculcation of safe driving habits and safe road use to them becomes crucial.
“It is notable that as of January 2025, there are 1,225,704 licensed female drivers in Nigeria. When unlicensed female drivers are added, the figures will undoubtedly be much higher.
“As you are all aware, road Traffic Injuries are the leading cause of death among young people aged five to 29 years (these are our Sons and Daughters).
“What future does the country have, if our Youths are wasted on the highway in their prime through mishaps that could have been avoided?
“We are therefore reviewing the policy document for inclusivity. There is the need for formal training and licensing,” he said.
Mohammed said that the corps was concerned that many women still prefer informal training from spouses or relatives, rather than enrolling in certified driving schools under the Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP).
He said, “This does not ensure comprehensive understanding of safety. We urge women to attend certified driving schools and become fully trained.
“Women on Wheels” is more than a program- it is a movement. It is about empowering women to take control of their journey, to challenge outdated norms, and to contribute meaningfully to road safety, transportation, and national development.
“It is my fervent hope that this initiative will not end here. “Women on Wheels” will now become an annual program, providing consistent support, training, and recognition for women in mobility across Nigeria.
“The corps remains committed to supporting and licensing qualified female drivers. The Federal Road Safety has developed a standard curriculum for all Driving,” he said.
The corps marshal said that FRSC has already recruited female drivers into its operational team and encouraged more women to see driving as a dignified and promising vocation.
He assured that the outcomes of the programme would be reviewed for potential adoption in future FRSC policy decisions
Women are naturally careful and responsible on the road. This initiative is a step toward positioning them not just as drivers but as leaders in transportation and road safety,” he added.
In her remarks, the President of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA), Dr Nafisat Shehu-Mohammed, announced plans to take its “Women on Wheels” programme to the grassroots.
This, she said, would be part of efforts to reach more women with road safety education and empowerment.
She emphasised the need to extend the programme beyond urban centres to ensure rural women benefit from the campaign.
She added that sensitising grassroots women would help improve awareness of road safety, licensing requirements, and driving skills, particularly among those who have not undergone formal training.
“We’re just kicking off in Abuja, but in the near future, we intend to hold it twice a year and take it to the grassroots.
“Many women in rural areas do not have access to phones or digital platforms. Reaching them directly is vital, because that is where the masses are,”she said.
In her goodwill message, President, National Council of Women’s Societies, (NCWS), Mrs Ednah Azura, expressed its commitment to expand the reach of the “Women on Wheels” initiative through nationwide mobilisation and advocacy.
Azura described the event as a landmark step toward empowering Nigerian women, especially in the transport and road safety sectors
“As the umbrella body of all women’s organisations in Nigeria, we see this as a model initiative. With what ROSOWA has done, our job now is to focus on mass mobilisation.
“We’ll take this message to every part of the country and ensure it is heard even at the global level,”she said.
She urged women to become more informed and proactive in areas beyond mobility, including politics and self-representation during elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that The “Women on Wheels” campaign, initiated by ROSOWA in collaboration with the Corps Transport Safety Office (CTSO) of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), seeks to reduce the number of unlicensed and untrained female drivers on Nigerian roads.
This would be done through advocacy, training, and support programmes.
