Nigeria will host the first Road Crash Victims Africa Conference in Abuja, giving victims and families a stronger voice in global road safety advocacy.
Nigeria is preparing to host the maiden International Road Crash Victims Africa Conference (IRCVAC) in Abuja this November, a groundbreaking event designed to amplify the voices of road traffic crash (RTC) victims and their families.
The initiative, jointly organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation, aims to reposition Africa at the centre of global road safety advocacy.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, noted that international road safety conferences have historically focused on high-income nations, leaving the struggles of African victims overlooked.
“This conference seeks to highlight the plight of road crash victims in Africa.
“It is time their experiences—especially those of women and children—become part of global dialogue,” he said.
He explained that the conference would draw experts, professionals, and technocrats in road transport, traffic management, and safety from across the world.
“Nigeria and Africa are ready to showcase leadership in road safety, and Abuja will serve as the platform where global voices unite for victims,” Mohammed added.
The Corps Marshal stressed that RTC victims endure immense suffering, with women and children hit hardest.
“Some children are left abandoned, others drop out of school, and many fall into drug abuse.
“Families lose breadwinners, leaving communities destabilized. This is why we are determined to give victims a global platform,” he stated.
He emphasized that the initiative enjoys the backing of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is committed to enhancing citizens’ welfare and supporting sustainable road safety policies.
The founder of KRSD, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the conference as the first African forum wholly dedicated to victims.
With the theme “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims”, she said the event will unite governments, civil society, private organizations, and the global road safety community to tackle Africa’s rising traffic casualties.
Dongban-Mensem established the KRSD Foundation on September 30, 2011, in memory of her late son, and this year marks its 14th anniversary.
She reaffirmed the foundation’s dedication to victim support and road safety advocacy across Africa.
As part of the program, pre-conference activities such as cycling, walking, and golfing events will begin on November 15.
These events aim to promote healthier, safer mobility options while expressing solidarity with crash victims.
Dongban-Mensem cited the World Health Organisation’s 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety, which ranked Nigeria among the worst-hit countries, with a rate of 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population—significantly above both global and African averages.
She further referenced National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showing that in the last quarter of 2023 alone, 5,081 road crashes occurred, leading to 2,466 deaths and 15,535 injuries.
Likewise, FRSC’s Q1 2024 report recorded 2,733 crashes, causing 1,624 fatalities and 8,279 injuries.
“These are not just numbers; they represent fathers, mothers, children, and breadwinners whose lives were cut short or forever altered,” she said.
“That is why the Road Crash Victims Africa Conference is vital—it is about real people, not statistics.”
The Abuja conference aims to establish a continental network to support victims and strengthen prevention efforts. Discussions will focus on:
Victim rehabilitation and support systems.
Policy frameworks for safer roads.
Technological and infrastructure innovations.
Awareness campaigns for vulnerable road users.
By centering victims’ experiences, the event will shift global focus from abstract policies to the real-life consequences of road crashes.
According to FRSC and KRSD, the Road Crash Victims Africa Conference is more than just an event—it is a movement.
By amplifying the voices of victims and families, it seeks to shape policies, inspire stronger advocacy, and build partnerships that will save lives across the continent.
“This is Africa’s chance to ensure that our victims are no longer left out of global road safety conversations,” Dongban-Mensem declared.
As Nigeria hosts this historic gathering, it signals a turning point in Africa’s fight against road traffic deaths.
The Road Crash Victims Africa Conference represents a unified call to action: to reduce crashes, support survivors, and protect families.
Through this platform, Africa is not only giving victims a voice but also paving the way for safer roads and stronger communities.
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