LASDRI Seeks Stronger Driver Education Partnership To Improve Road Safety, Economic Growth

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LAGOS – The Lagos State Driver’s Institute, LASDRI, has called for stronger collaboration among transport unions, corporate organisations, driving schools and road safety stakeholders to improve driver education, reduce road crashes and support economic development.

The call was made at the maiden annual stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) at its headquarters in Oshodi, where government officials, transport operators, corporate organisations and industry experts unanimously agreed that continuous driver training is essential to improving safety on Nigerian roads.

Delivering the welcome address, LASDRI General Manager Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu said the theme, “Driver Education: Road Safety and Economic Development,” reflected the urgent need to strengthen professional driver training through quality instruction, proper certification and continuous retraining.

She said effective driver education goes beyond learning how to operate a vehicle, stressing that it develops discipline, defensive driving skills, respect for traffic laws and responsible decision-making. According to her, well-trained drivers save lives, protect property, reduce crashes and improve productivity.

Tiamiyu noted that Nigeria’s efforts align with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which seeks to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 per cent by 2030. She urged stakeholders to modernise training methods, update curricula and invest in competent instructors.

Expressing concern over rising road crashes, she said recent reports of multiple fatalities within 24 hours underscored the need to move beyond discussions to practical solutions. She added that LASDRI wanted to hear directly from drivers to better understand the economic and social pressures influencing their behaviour on the road.

The LASDRI chief also reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to restoring dignity to the driving profession, noting that commercial drivers are required to obtain LASDRI certification and that the institute plans to introduce advanced professional education programmes for drivers.

Speaking on behalf of Lagride Nigeria, Executive Director Mildred Ekanem announced that the company had formally applied for LASDRI to become a partner in its driver academy. She said every Lagride driver must complete its learning academy and obtain LASDRI certification before joining the platform.

Ekanem added that the company’s curriculum extends beyond technical driving to include mental health, psychology and welfare education, describing collaboration with LASDRI as a natural step towards raising professional standards.

Representing the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), State Deputy Logistics and Planning Officer Latifu Ahmed, who stood in for State Chairman Alhaji Shakiru Onikijipa, described the programme as timely and pledged closer cooperation with LASDRI. He said the association would invite institute officials to educate its branch executives and encourage members to participate in LASDRI training programmes while continuing campaigns against drink-driving.

The Association of Motorcycle and Tricycle Owners (AMATO) argued that obtaining a driver’s licence or attending driving school alone does not guarantee competence. The association called for mandatory periodic refresher training, continuous professional certification and a nationally standardised curriculum to improve driver competence and reduce crashes.

Corporate stakeholders also pledged support for safer roads.

Okukermi Ogunsakin, Head of Corporate Communications, Sustainability and CSR at Guinness Nigeria Plc, reiterated the company’s long-standing message against drink-driving, urging motorists never to combine alcohol with driving and promising continued collaboration with government agencies on road safety education.

Similarly, Bola Fadata, Human Resource Manager at FrieslandCampina Nigeria Plc, said the stakeholder meeting reinforced the importance of continuous driver development. She disclosed that the company already partners with the Federal Road Safety Corps to improve driver competence and expressed interest in working with LASDRI.

Also speaking, Adedayo Ogunsisji, Head of Human Resources and Administration at the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), emphasised the role of insurance awareness, professionalism and continuous education in protecting lives and property while improving public confidence in the transport sector.

Representing the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), State Secretary Comrade Adebayo said the union would strengthen its partnership with LASDRI and intensify driver education programmes to improve compliance with road safety regulations.

The meeting concluded with Alhaji Yekini Musibau, State Secretary of the Allied Truck Transporters Association of Nigeria (ATTAN), calling for stronger advocacy and enforcement measures to eliminate the sale of alcoholic drinks in motor parks, a proposal that received broad support from participants committed to improving road safety across Lagos State.