Jos – Determined to strengthen national security and restore discipline to Nigeria’s road transport system, the Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation (VIOs) will, on Tuesday, open its 2025 Annual National Conference in Jos, Plateau State.
The forum, themed “Enhancing National Security and Road Traffic Safety Through Effective Motor Vehicle Administration,” is expected to chart a reform agenda for safer roads, stricter enforcement, and harmonised vehicle regulation across the country.
Speaking at a pre-conference press briefing held on Monday in Jos, the State Commissioner for Transport, Davou Jatau, said the selection Jos, Plateau State as the host underscored the State’s growing leadership in modern transport policy and infrastructure reforms under the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Jatau outlined the government’s efforts to improve urban mobility and commuter safety, citing the implementation of the Jos Greater Master Plan and the successful deployment of Tin City Metro Buses saying, “These buses, fitted with advanced safety and security features, have eased intra-city movement and operated without incident since their introduction.”
He also revealed that the Ministry had launched a motorcycle tracking initiative using QR codes, allowing passengers to verify riders’ identities and share travel details with relatives for security purposes.
In addition, real-time surveillance cameras have been installed at key roundabouts in Jos and monitored from a central Situation Room at the Ministry of Transportation. “These measures align perfectly with the theme of this year’s conference, which focuses on safeguarding lives and improving road safety,” he added.
Representing the National Chairman of the Conference, General Secretary, Durojaye Olalekan described the event as a critical platform for charting reforms in road traffic management, national security, and motor vehicle administration.
He stressed that effective vehicle regulation is vital to national security, noting that weak inspection systems and inconsistent data allow unroadworthy and untraceable vehicles to aid criminal activities such as smuggling, kidnapping, and terrorism.
He listed the duties of VIOs to include vehicle inspections, enforcement of compliance standards, accident investigations, driver testing, data management, and public education.
However, he decried the challenges facing the sector ranging from poor funding, outdated inspection infrastructure, weak legal frameworks, and poor coordination among enforcement agencies.
To address these shortcomings, he called for a unified national legal framework, full digitalisation of vehicle administration, enhanced capacity-building programmes, better public sensitisation, and stronger collaboration between the VIOs, FRSC, Police, and Customs.
He explained that the “Jos 2025” conference would feature policy dialogues, technical sessions, and expert presentations on harmonised inspection standards, data-driven enforcement, and digital transformation, culminating in a communiqué for national adoption.
Olalekan and Jatau commended Governor Mutfwang and the people of Plateau for hosting the conference, describing the State as a fitting venue for advancing a national roadmap towards safer, smarter, and more secure transportation systems.
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