Nigeria to host road crash victims conference in Abuja this November, giving voice to RTC victims and families across Africa
The announcement was made in Abuja during a joint press briefing by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, explained that while global road safety conferences have largely centred on high-income countries, little focus has been placed on the struggles of African victims.
He stressed that the IRCVAC would address this gap by highlighting the hardships of victims, particularly women and children left behind after fatal crashes.
“Some children are abandoned or drop out of school and end up on drugs. This is why we are committed to giving them a voice and pushing their plight to the centre of global discussions,” Mohammed said.
He added that the conference would draw technocrats, professionals, and safety experts from around the world to showcase Nigeria and Africa’s commitment to road safety.
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, founder of KRSD, said the theme of the conference, “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims”, reflects its historic focus on victims and families.
Established in memory of her late son, the KRSD Foundation marks its 14th anniversary this year with renewed advocacy.
According to Dongban-Mensem, pre-conference side events such as cycling, walking, and golfing will begin on 15 November to promote safe and sustainable mobility while fostering solidarity with victims.
She cited the World Health Organisation’s 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety, which placed Nigeria among the countries with the highest road traffic death rates globally, recording 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population—well above global and African averages.
National statistics paint an equally stark picture: the last quarter of 2023 saw 5,081 crashes, claiming 2,466 lives and injuring 15,535. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the FRSC recorded 2,733 crashes, with 1,624 deaths and 8,279 injuries.
“These statistics represent real people: fathers, mothers, children, workers, breadwinners—lives cut short or changed forever,” Dongban-Mensem noted.
The conference, scheduled to be held in Abuja under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is expected to galvanise governments, civil society, and the global road safety community towards decisive action in reducing Africa’s devastating road toll.
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