A safety and transport expert, Emmanuel Oche, on Tuesday in Abuja, urged governments to prioritise road safety over revenue generation in motor vehicle administration.

Mr Oche ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‍‌‌‍‌‌‍​‌‌​spoke as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Annual National Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation.

The two-day conference is with the theme “Repositioning Motor Vehicle Administration for Safer Roads: Challenges and the Way Forward.”

He said vehicle registration, inspection, driver testing and licensing should primarily protect lives rather than serve as revenue-generating activities.

He said the conference provided an opportunity to assess whether existing motor vehicle administration practices were effectively reducing road crashes and fatalities.

Mr Oche cited figures attributed to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), putting annual road crash deaths at about 5,000 and 38,000, respectively.

He said the figures underscored the need to strengthen measures to reduce road crashes and fatalities.

Mr Oche stated, “Revenue is very important, but it should be a consequence, not the focus.”

He described transportation as a gateway to opportunities, stressing that efficient mobility was essential for economic activities and national development.

The keynote speaker called for the restoration of the professional identity of motor vehicle administration institutions through specialised training, technical expertise and modern technology.

He identified vehicle inspection, driver training and testing, licensing, traffic management, enforcement and transport planning as critical areas requiring professional competence.

Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Charles Elechi, said effective road transportation required sound regulation, professional administration, technology and enforcement, beyond infrastructure development.

Mr Elechi, who declared the conference open, said governments must ensure that vehicles were roadworthy, drivers properly licenced and regulatory institutions adequately equipped.

He identified inadequate investment in inspection facilities, inconsistent standards, fragmented data systems and limited public awareness as challenges requiring urgent intervention.

He called for stronger institutional capacity, improved data interoperability and technology-driven systems to enhance vehicle inspection and driver licensing.

Mr Elechi also advocated lawful, transparent and accountable enforcement, supported by appropriate technology and uniform standards across states.

In his opening remarks, the National Chairman of the conference, Durojaye Olalekan, said weaknesses in driver licensing and vehicle inspection exposed serious institutional gaps.

Mr Olalekan expressed concern that motor vehicle administration was often treated primarily as a revenue-generating activity rather than a professional system for protecting lives.

He identified inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, limited capacity building, low staff morale and corrupt practices as factors undermining regulatory effectiveness.

He urged state governments to invest in modern facilities, competent personnel and appropriate legislation, while advocating digital platforms and reliable databases to improve transparency, accountability and compliance.

Mr Olalekan also expressed concern over misinformation and hostility directed at Vehicle Inspection Officers on social media, acknowledging the need for professionalism and accountability among enforcement personnel.

He urged participants to translate the conference’s resolutions into measurable reforms, saying its success would depend on actions taken after they returned to their respective states.

The Director of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abubakar Yeldu, called for coordinated government action to strengthen enforcement and restore public confidence in regulatory institutions.

Mr Yeldu said intimidation of enforcement officers could weaken compliance with traffic regulations and expose road users to greater risks.

He called for investment in personnel development, modern inspection facilities and technology-based regulatory systems, stressing that enforcement must remain lawful and accountable.

The conference, which will end on Wednesday, brought together directors and chief road traffic officers from the 36 states and the FCT to discuss strategies for improving motor vehicle administration and road safety.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other contributors to motor vehicle administration.

(NAN)