A cross section of participants at the 2025 Annual Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation held on Tuesday in Jos.
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
As part of efforts to strengthen national security and modernize the nation’s transport system, stakeholders have called for the integration of motor vehicle data into Nigeria’s security architecture.
The call was made in Jos, Plateau State, during the 2025 Annual Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation, where participants stressed that harmonized vehicle information could help track criminal movements, prevent car theft, and support national identity management.
Declaring the conference open, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang said the intersection between transport administration and national security has become increasingly critical.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr. Jeremiah Satmak, the Governor noted that the Plateau State Government remains committed to adopting technology to improve efficiency, enhance safety, and strengthen intelligence support for security agencies.
“We envision a future where every vehicle in Nigeria can be digitally verified, where data from transport operations directly supports national security objectives, and where technology enables faster responses to threats and violations.
“Our administration has continued to rehabilitate key road networks, procure intercity buses, and introduce city shuttle services to decongest roads and ensure safer movement for citizens,” he stated.
Governor Mutfwang emphasized that transportation reforms are vital to economic development and security, adding that the state will sustain investments in modern infrastructure and smart traffic management systems.
Speaking on behalf of the National Chairman of the Conference, Sir (Engr.) Bepeh Paul Ugbe, the General Secretary, Engr. Durojaye Babawale Olalekan, said the annual gathering provides an opportunity to harmonize standards and adopt innovative technologies to improve motor vehicle administration across the country.
He noted that vehicle registration, licensing, and inspection are not mere bureaucratic procedures but fundamental pillars of data integrity, public safety, and national identity.
“When these systems are weak, fragmented, or poorly enforced, they create loopholes that are exploited by criminal elements. This undermines not only traffic safety but also national security,” he warned.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Professor Shedrack Gaya Best, described vehicle inspection as an underutilized tool in national security management.
He explained that vehicles have increasingly become both targets and instruments of crime, stressing that proper documentation and tracking are essential to curbing such threats.
“If vehicles are effectively documented and monitored, the enterprise of criminals will become more difficult. The ability to trace vehicles used in crimes will significantly enhance national security,” he emphasized.
Prof. Best also called for closer collaboration among the Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIOs), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to build an integrated database that will support intelligence operations nationwide.
On his part, Plateau State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, highlighted ongoing reforms, including the digitization of vehicle licensing and registration, enforcement of Executive Order 003 to reduce congestion, and continuous training of officers to enhance professionalism and service delivery.
Earlier, the Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer of Plateau State, Lady Anna Mweltok, described the hosting of the conference as a historic milestone for the state. She commended Governor Mutfwang for his support and called for increased recruitment of female officers to ensure gender balance within the department.
“I crave the indulgence of His Excellency to approve the recruitment of additional staff. To this end, I also wish to humbly request that women be given special consideration as I am the only female in the department,” she appealed.
The conference, tagged “Jos 2025,” brought together directors, chief road traffic officers, and transport administrators from across the federation to deliberate on strategies to harmonize operations, enhance safety, and modernize vehicle management systems in Nigeria.
