As part of efforts to strengthen national security and promote safer roads, Plateau State is set to host the 2025 Annual National Conference of the Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation, tagged “Jos 2025.”
The pre-conference press briefing, held on Monday at the Ministry of Information in Jos, highlighted the crucial link between motor vehicle administration, national security, and road traffic safety.
The event was attended by key officials of the Conference, representatives of the Plateau State Government, and media organizations.
National Chairman of the Conference, Engr. (Sir) Paul Bepeh, represented by the General Secretary, Engr. Durojaye Babawale Olalekan, said the upcoming conference would provide a national platform to deliberate on the theme, “Enhancing National Security and Road Traffic Safety Through Effective Motor Vehicle Administration.”
He described the theme as timely and strategic, noting that challenges in vehicle regulation and enforcement continue to undermine Nigeria’s public safety framework.
According to him, “The administration of motor vehicles is far more than a matter of routine regulation — it is a pillar of national security. A country’s ability to identify, track, and regulate vehicles and drivers directly affects its capacity to safeguard lives, protect property, and enforce laws.”
Bepeh warned that weak coordination in vehicle registration, inspection, and licensing systems had made it easier for unroadworthy and untraceable vehicles to operate across the country.
“When vehicle registration, inspection, and licensing processes are inconsistent or poorly coordinated, unroadworthy vehicles, untrained drivers, and untraceable vehicles find their way onto the roads, creating loopholes for smuggling, kidnapping, terrorism, and vehicle theft,” he said.
He added that the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s motor vehicle administration system, but their performance has been weakened by poor funding, limited equipment, and weak inter-agency collaboration.
“The overemphasis on revenue generation over safety objectives, the neglect of actual vehicle inspection before certification, and poor enforcement strategies have collectively weakened compliance and eroded public confidence in the road safety system,” Bepeh stated.
The National Chairman stressed the need for a unified legal framework and digital transformation of all motor vehicle administration processes across the 36 states and the FCT to promote transparency, traceability, and accountability.
In his remarks, the Plateau State Commissioner of Transportation, Hon. Datok Davou Gyang, said hosting the conference in Jos reflects the Mutfwang administration’s commitment to modernizing transport operations and improving commuter safety.
He cited recent interventions by the state government, including the introduction of the Tin City Metro Buses, the motorcycle tracking system using QR codes, and the installation of surveillance cameras at strategic locations in Jos, as evidence of the state’s focus on safety and innovation.
“These initiatives have improved public transportation and enhanced commuter security, aligning with the objectives of the upcoming conference,” Gyang said.
The “Jos 2025” conference will draw participants from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, including road safety administrators, transport policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.
The three-day event is expected to produce actionable recommendations for strengthening vehicle regulation, harmonizing standards, and promoting data-driven enforcement across the country.
