Untrained women drivers pose risk, says ROSOWA President

The Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) has raised concerns over the growing number of untrained female drivers on Nigerian roads.

The ROSOWA President, Dr Nafisat Shehu-Mohammed said this at a one-day programme titled “Women on Wheels”, on Tuesday in Abuja.

She warned that the trend poses a serious threat to public safety and national development.

She said that the programme was designed not only to celebrate the evolving role of women in transportation but also to address a critical gap that affects road safety globally.

The president noted that recent global studies revealed that an alarming number of female automobile drivers particularly in low and middle income countries operated vehicles without any form of formal training or valid driver’s license.

“In some areas, it is estimated that up to 40 per cent who drive do so without meeting basic safety or licensing requirements.

“This situation presents a serious concern, not only in terms of traffic law compliance but also in potential risks posed to the drivers themselves, passengers and other road users,”she emphasised.

Shehu-Mohammed described the situation as alarming and stressed the need for urgent intervention through structured training, licensing and awareness programmes.

“ROSOWA in partnership with Corps Transport Safety Office (CTSO) is committed to reversing this trend through awareness, advocacy and empowerment.

“This programme, ‘Women on Wheels’ is therefore our proactive response providing women with the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to become properly trained, licensed and responsible road users.

“Going by this, we would be doing this event twice in a year to have a larger audience.”

She urged communities and stakeholders to support female-focused road safety campaigns and reiterated that safer roads begin with properly trained drivers.

“A trained woman behind the wheel makes the road safer for everyone—her family, her community and the nation at large,” she added.

Speaking, Mrs Kudirat Ibrahim, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) in charge of Corps Transport Standardisation Office(CTSO), said that the event was designed to provide a platform to share experiences.

Ibrahim added that the event would provide ways to discuss challenges and explore opportunities in the transportation industry.

She said that the summit aimed to empower and support female drivers, while also promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.

“It is our hope, therefore, that this summit will indeed equip participants with the requisite knowledge and adequate understanding of expected roles and obligations.

“This will help for sustained professional development in the ever-growing transportation industry,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme attracted sister associations, transport safety experts and grassroots women leaders.

NAN also reports that there were sessions on road safety regulations, driver training pathways, and empowerment opportunities