The Road Safety International Film Festival (RSIFF), a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting road safety through film and media, is set to make its debut in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The festival is a collaboration between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), I Am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative (IFON), and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja, FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, revealed that the festival, slated for the third quarter of the year, will operate under the theme “Drive Right, Drive Smart.” He described the project as an innovative entertainment-based education campaign designed to complement the Corps’ existing road safety strategies.
Mohammed explained that the initiative would use film and celebrity influence to improve awareness about traffic laws and encourage responsible road use. The festival, he said, would present relatable real-life scenarios through short films, skits, and other visual storytelling formats to engage the public and foster behavioural change.
“This initiative merges entertainment with education to increase road safety awareness in a memorable and impactful way,” he said, adding that similar festivals have taken place globally in countries such as India, France, Chile, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Congo.
The Corps Marshal encouraged content creators, filmmakers, skit makers, and other entertainers to support the campaign, noting that the initiative aims to reduce traffic crashes, enhance driver education, and boost youth engagement.
He highlighted the expected outcomes to include:
-
Improved understanding of traffic laws
-
Increased public compliance with road safety regulations
-
Wider reach of safety messaging via media platforms
-
Greater visibility among younger demographics
Also Read: Chimamanda to Headline First-Ever Things Fall Apart Festival in Enugu
Mrs Noni Okocha, CEO of IFON, said the campaign is Nigeria’s first national road safety movement powered by film, media, and celebrity advocacy.
“Drive Right, Drive Smart is more than a campaignit, is a movement that harnesses Nollywood’s storytelling and youth engagement power to make safety education more relatable and far-reaching,” she said.
Okocha noted that road traffic crashes remain a leading cause of death in Nigeria, particularly among young people. She urged collaboration between government agencies, schools, communities, the media, and celebrities to cultivate a national culture of road safety.
AGN President, Emeka Rollas, pledged the support of Nigerian actors, describing them as “agents of change, mirrors of society, and influencers of culture.”
“Many of our actors have already committed to serve as Road Safety Ambassadors,” Rollas said. “To my colleagues in Nollywood, this is our chance to give back by using our art for advocacy and creating stories that save lives.”
He concluded: “When film meets purpose, magic happens. Let’s make Nigeria’s roads safer, one story at a time.”
