By Suleiman Abdulmumin
The Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other road safety organizations, announced today it will host the inaugural International Road Crash Victims and their Advocacy Conference (IRCVAC 2025). The landmark event, themed “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims,” will be the first of its kind on the African continent dedicated to addressing the profound human cost of road accidents.
Speaking at a press conference at the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja, the founder of the KRSD Foundation, Hon. Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem, emphasized the conference’s purpose: to give a voice to road crash victims and their families. “This conference is not just an event; it’s about people,” she stated. “It is about ensuring their experiences shape solutions and their voices lead change advocacy.”
The announcement comes as the KRSD Foundation celebrates its 14th anniversary, having been established on September 30, 2011. For over a decade, the foundation has been a leading advocate for road safety in Nigeria and across Africa, championing the rights of victims and promoting safer mobility through various campaigns and educational programs.
According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has one of the highest road traffic death rates globally, at 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population. The FRSC’s own reports confirm that speed violations and loss of control are responsible for more than half of all crashes in the country. Data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the FRSC show a persistent crisis:
- In the last quarter of 2023, there were 5,081 reported crashes, resulting in 2,466 deaths and 15,535 injuries.
- In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the FRSC recorded 2,733 crashes, with 1,624 fatalities and 8,279 injuries.
These grim statistics underscore the urgent need for a unified, concerted effort. The conference seeks to bring together governments, private organizations, civil society groups, and victims’ advocates to mobilize large-scale action. It will also contribute to the global Vision Zero and Safe Systems Approach goals, which assert that no death on the roads is acceptable and that safety should be an inherent part of transportation systems.
Leading up to the formal conference sessions, pre-conference events will be held starting November 15, including cycling, walking, and golfing activities. These events are designed to promote healthier, safer, and more sustainable mobility while fostering unity and solidarity with road crash victims.
The KRSD Foundation and its partners are urging the media and the public to join the cause, help share the stories of victims, and mobilize action to ensure that the lives lost on the roads are not in vain.
Registration for IRCVAC 2025 is now open at www.ircvac.com.ng