The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled a new contactless biometric capture system for driver’s license issuance—a major step toward the digitalisation of Nigeria’s motor vehicle administration.
The announcement came alongside the launch of the agency’s 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign in Abuja on Monday, themed “Tech Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” The initiative targets risky driving habits often linked to the surge in road accidents between mid-December and mid-January.
Speaking at the event, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the innovation would streamline the licensing process, eliminate temporary documents, and drastically reduce processing delays.
“We have activated plans to overcome the perennial challenges associated with delays in obtaining drivers’ licences and number plates. Our printing facility has been upgraded to print an average of 15,000 licences daily, with plans to clear the backlog before the second week of November 2025,” Mohammed said.
He added that the FRSC was set to begin on-the-spot printing of licences after contactless biometric capture, describing the move as “the beginning of a digitalised one-stop-shop” for driver’s licence processing.
“With this development, delays and other challenges related to the national driver’s licence will be history,” he declared.
According to the corps marshal, the new system was developed in consultation with state governments and relevant agencies, noting that licensing remains a concurrent legislative responsibility. The digital model integrates driving schools, the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and certification systems into a faster, unified process.
“It’s no longer going to be the process of putting hands on a biometric machine. This one is contactless—it doesn’t take time and captures all the essential data,” Mohammed explained, adding that once applicants complete capture, licences will be issued instantly.
The system is also synchronised with the National Identification Number (NIN) database to ensure accurate and consistent data across agencies.
Deputy Corps Marshal for Motor Vehicle Administration, Aliyu Datsama, said during a media tour of the FRSC Print Farm that the new contactless technology is already operational and will be rolled out nationwide, including in Lagos.
He revealed that the corps had reduced its backlog of unprocessed licences from 800,000 to 400,000, with production now running round the clock.
“Our current daily production capacity is 40,000 licences, and by the grace of God, we will clear everything in the next few weeks,” Datsama said.
He urged motorists who had completed their biometrics to collect their licences, disclosing that more than 206,000 printed licences remain unclaimed across various states.
The FRSC said its latest initiative underscores a broader commitment to efficiency and safety as Nigeria heads into the year-end travel season — a period historically marked by increased road crashes.
