Abuja—The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in partnership with the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation, has announced plans to host the inaugural International Road Crash Victims’ Advocacy Conference (IRCVAC 2025) in Nigeria this November.
Speaking at a press briefing at FRSC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed emphasized the need to shift global road safety discussions toward the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa.
“Even at global health and safety conferences, the focus tends to be on high-income countries, often overlooking the realities of road traffic crash victims in Africa,” Mohammed said. “That is why FRSC and KRSD are bringing together technocrats, experts in road transport, traffic, and safety management from across the world to showcase solutions for our continent.”
Highlighting the humanitarian toll of road accidents, Mohammed said victims’ families, especially women and children, bear the brunt of the consequences. “Children are often left behind, dropping out of school or turning to drugs and crime. Women face poverty and hunger. We cannot allow this to continue,” he said.
The initiative aligns with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, whose government prioritizes improving quality of life and promoting economic development. “FRSC and KRSD are supporting this administration by making this international conference a reality in Abuja,” he added.
Also addressing the press, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Founder of the KRSD Foundation and President of the Court of Appeal, formally announced IRCVAC 2025, coinciding with the Foundation’s 14th anniversary. Founded in 2011 in memory of her late son, the KRSD Foundation has become a leading advocate for road crash victims in Nigeria and beyond.
Themed “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims,” the conference is the first African event dedicated specifically to those affected by road crashes. “This conference will bring together governments, private organizations, civil society, victims’ groups, and the global road safety community to act decisively in reducing road crash casualties in Africa,” Dongban-Mensem said.
Pre-conference activities, set to begin on November 15, will include a cycling event, a walk, and a golf tournament—symbolic efforts to promote safer mobility and solidarity with victims.
Citing the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 and the National Bureau of Statistics, Dongban-Mensem noted Nigeria has one of the world’s highest road traffic death rates, at 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population. “This is not just a number. It represents thousands of devastated families every year,” she stressed.
The conference aims to support the global Vision Zero and Safe Systems Approach, emphasizing that no road death is acceptable and that safety must be integral to transportation systems. “Safer roads, vehicles, responsible road use, and stronger post-crash care save lives. Achieving this in Africa requires coordinated action by governments, civil society, and the private sector,” she said.
Registration for IRCVAC 2025 is open at www.ircvac.com.ng.
According to the FRSC, between January and June 2025, Nigeria recorded 5,281 crashes involving 39,793 individuals, resulting in 2,838 deaths and 17,818 rescues—a 3.9% increase in crashes and a 2.2% rise in fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.