Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting all initiatives that promote road safety across the state.
The governor gave the assurance on Thursday in an address delivered at the opening of the 2025 National Workshop for Driving School Proprietors and Instructors, currently taking place in Enugu.
The theme of the two-day event is “Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria Through Standardised Drivers and Riders Training.”
Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Sunday Ajogwu, Governor Mbah emphasised that the state government would continue to support road safety through legislative backing, infrastructure investment, and policy reforms aimed at preventing avoidable accidents.
“We recognise that transportation safety is not merely a technical concern but a moral obligation,” the governor said. “Let this workshop not be reduced to a ceremonial gathering, but rather serve as a transformative platform to reinforce the foundation of safer roads in Nigeria.”
He also congratulated the leadership of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), particularly the Corps Marshal and the training department, for their vision and commitment to improving driver education and road safety.
Delivering his remarks, FRSC Corps Marshal, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, stressed that driving schools are the first point of contact between prospective drivers and the road safety culture.
Represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal, Mr Chidiebere Nkwonta, the FRSC boss warned: “If the foundation at the driving school level is weak, no level of enforcement, engineering, or emergency response can adequately bridge the gap.”
He described the role of driving school proprietors and instructors as vital to national development, calling on them to recognise the responsibility they carry.
“Our Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP) was established to ensure quality, consistency and integrity in driver training nationwide. Since its inception, we have recorded notable progress through improved curricula, adoption of driving simulators, adherence to minimum operational standards, and a more structured licensing process.
“However, challenges remain. Some schools continue to prioritise profits over safety, while others grapple with inadequate infrastructure, regulatory lapses, and undertrained instructors,” he said.
The workshop, he added, offers an opportunity to collectively address these challenges.
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He said topics at the event, including the impact of the trucking industry on highway safety, the economic prospects of standardised rider training, and an assessment of the DSSP, are designed to provoke critical reflection and inspire unified action.
“The technical session scheduled for the second day is particularly important, as it acknowledges that regulation without consultation often leads to resentment and non-compliance,” he added.
He noted that years of annual training workshops have contributed to incremental changes in driving behaviour, as compliance with DSSP protocols has become a prerequisite for licensing.
In his goodwill message, Honourary FRSC Special Marshal, Chief Felix Ajim, commended the FRSC for adopting practical strategies to address the challenges facing the driving school sector, which have contributed to poor driving habits and preventable accidents.
“We appreciate the Corps for its humanitarian efforts in safeguarding road users, starting with proactive interventions at the foundational level FRSC-approved driving schools,” he said.
The State Director of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Mr Val Chime, stressed the continued relevance of the VIO’s driver testing examinations, noting that they form an essential part of the licensing process.
In her remarks, Mrs Gloria Ugbebo, a driving instructor with Integrated Automotive Services Limited in Calabar, expressed appreciation to the FRSC for its efforts to regulate and improve the industry through the DSSP.
“The FRSC regulations have brought order and professionalism to the driving school industry, and the annual trainings have continued to reshape it for the better,” she said.
Participants at the two-day workshop include driving school operators and instructors from Enugu, Ebonyi and Cross River States.
