More than 3,400 people lost their lives in various road accidents across Nigeria between January and September 2025, according to new data released by the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.
Within the same nine-month period, 22,162 individuals sustained different levels of injuries in a total of 6,858 crashes recorded nationwide.
These figures were made public by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during a press briefing held on Monday in Abuja to officially commence the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign.
“3,433 persons were killed and 22,162 persons injured out of a total of 6,858 reported road crashes between January and September, 2025.
The records also showed that the major causes of those crashes were linked to driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and travelling with fuel in plastic containers.
Apparently, driver behaviour is a fundamental element in determining safety on our highways. It is expected that the 2025 end-of-year campaign will create the needed awareness and sensitisation for drivers to take up the issue of safety more seriously,” he noted.
This year’s awareness drive, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” is primarily aimed at tackling the surge in traffic crashes that typically happen during the festive season, from December 15 to January 15.
According to Mohammed, the Corps is intensifying its public engagement and advocacy to encourage responsible driving, which remains a key factor behind most road accidents.
To address these persistent challenges, the FRSC announced a set of proactive strategies that include deploying additional personnel and Special Marshals on critical highways and accident-prone routes, offering free vehicle safety checks, holding rallies at major motor parks, and engaging transport stakeholders through town hall meetings.
“These measures, in addition to our routine enforcement operations, are designed to raise awareness against reckless driving usually associated with the ember months.
It is also expected that the implementation of these measures will significantly reduce the percentage of occurrence of road crashes and drive down road crash-related deaths and injuries,” Mohammed said.
Beyond enforcement, the Corps Marshal pointed out that the FRSC has also strengthened other aspects of road safety management.
He cited enhanced driver education programs through partnerships with accredited driving schools and fleet operators, as well as the reactivation of mobile courts and highway checkpoints to tackle violations such as overloading and speeding.
Mohammed further mentioned the revival of the FRSC Annual Lecture Series, which seeks to promote national discussions on road safety as a pressing public health issue. According to him, the platform continues to deliver “critical perspectives on global best practices.”
He went on to announce that preparations are nearing completion for an International Conference on Road Crash Victims in Africa, scheduled to hold from November 16 to 18, 2025.
The event, being organised in collaboration with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation, aims to enhance post-crash response and victim care in alignment with the fifth pillar of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.
“I urge all Nigerians to continue to support the Corps as we strive to create a safer motoring environment for our dear nation,” he said, officially declaring the 2025 Ember Months Campaign open.
