Nigeria, alongside other West African countries, is set to adopt a unified driver’s license and vehicle registration system as part of a regional effort to streamline transportation and enhance road safety.
The Federal Road Safety Corps is also collaborating with the Economic Community of West African States through the West African Road Safety Organisation to develop a Regional Vehicle Administration and Information System.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this at a workshop on inter-agency collaboration in Abuja on Tuesday.
Represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele, he stated that the initiatives aim to create a standardised system for driver’s licenses, vehicle number plates, and documentation across the region.
He added that it would also foster the free movement of vehicles, people, goods, and services in ECOWAS countries.
Mohammed said, “FRSC is partnering with ECOWAS through the West African Road Safety Organisation to work on the adoption of a uniform licensing scheme called the Regional Vehicle Administration and Information System.
“The initiative is geared towards having a common driver’s license, vehicle number plates, and documentation, as well as the enforcement of traffic infractions and generation of critical data across West Africa. The scheme, when fully implemented, will promote seamless vehicle registration in West Africa and enhance the free movement of vehicles, persons, goods, and services, as enshrined in the ECOWAS protocol on free movement.
“It will also prevent multiple registrations and assist in reducing vehicle theft within the ECOWAS subregion. FRSC, under the auspices of ECOWAS, is working towards partnering with members of WASO to develop digital number plates and motor vehicle particulars with the installation of solid acrylic that is weather-resistant in vehicles.”
He also mentioned that the initiative proposes linking each driver’s license to the holder’s bank account, making it compatible with digital payment systems.
Mohammed said, “These initiatives aim to link the national driver’s license to the owner’s bank account, details which will not only serve as debit cards but are also in line with the FRSC’s grand strategy to partner with the banking sector in enhancing highway enforcement.”