By Thaimu T Kamara
The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), James Bagie Bio, has held discussions with Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in road safety.
The high-level meeting, held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Nigeria High Commission in Freetown, focused on knowledge sharing, institutional collaboration and the adoption of effective road safety practices aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and improving safety for road users.
The engagement comes as Sierra Leone and Nigeria continue to deepen cooperation in road safety administration. In July 2026, the SLRSA and Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to strengthen collaboration in several key areas.
The agreement provides for cooperation in road safety management, capacity building, research, data-driven interventions, vehicle administration, public sensitisation and enforcement.
Speaking during the meeting, SLRSA Executive Director James Bagie Bio expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued support and experience in road safety management. He stressed the importance of strong partnerships in addressing the growing challenge of road traffic crashes.
Bio also acknowledged the contribution of Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps to the development and transformation of Sierra Leone’s road safety administration, noting that the FRSC model had provided valuable lessons for the SLRSA.
He appealed to Ambassador Luther-Ogbomode to use her office to further support Sierra Leone’s road safety efforts and advocate for stronger measures to make the country’s roads and road use safer for everyone.
The Executive Director emphasised that continued cooperation with Nigeria would provide opportunities for the SLRSA to strengthen its institutional capacity, improve its operations and benefit from practical experience in road safety management.
In response, Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Nigeria, particularly in areas that directly affect the safety and wellbeing of citizens.
She also recognised the value of practical cooperation between the two countries, with the recent SLRSA-FRSC agreement providing a foundation for further collaboration.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to explore ways of translating the commitments contained in the MoU into practical programmes and initiatives. These could include knowledge exchange, professional training, research collaboration and improved approaches to public education and enforcement.
Road traffic crashes remain a major concern for governments across the region, making cooperation between road safety institutions increasingly important. The sharing of data, expertise and proven strategies can help authorities develop more effective interventions and improve compliance with road safety regulations.
For Sierra Leone, the partnership with Nigeria forms part of the SLRSA’s broader strategy of building relationships with institutions at the national, regional and international levels.
The Authority continues to pursue partnerships aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving road safety management and promoting safer mobility across the country.
The engagement at the Nigeria High Commission therefore marks another step in the growing Sierra Leone-Nigeria relationship on road safety. It also signals the commitment of both countries to turning shared objectives and institutional partnerships into practical action that can contribute to safer roads and reduce road traffic crashes.
With the five-year SLRSA-FRSC agreement now providing a formal framework for cooperation, both sides are expected to continue exploring opportunities for closer collaboration and the exchange of expertise in the years ahead.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 17th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
