Nigeria is set to host its first-ever Road Safety International Film Festival (RSIFF), leveraging the power of cinema and celebrity influence to promote road safety awareness and behaviour change
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria is gearing up to host its pioneering Road Safety International Film Festival (RSIFF), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at utilising cinematic storytelling to champion road safety awareness across the nation.
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The festival is a collaborative effort between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the I Am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative (IFON), and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
The launch was officially announced at a joint press conference held at the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, revealed that the festival, themed “Drive Right, Drive Smart,” is slated for the third quarter of the year.
It represents a strategic partnership to create a unique entertainment-based educational project, complementing existing FRSC efforts to ensure safer Nigerian roads.
“This initiative leverages the power of film and celebrity influence to educate Nigerians on road safety rules and responsible driving behaviour,” said Corps Marshal Mohammed.
He highlighted that the festival is a novel approach to improving road safety awareness in Nigeria, integrating entertainment with education to engage the public and promote responsible road use in a memorable and impactful manner.
While a first for Nigeria, similar road safety film festivals have been successfully held globally, including in India, France, Chile, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Congo.
This campaign is not just another programme; it is Nigeria’s first-ever road safety movement powered by film, media, and celebrity advocacy.
The FRSC is confident that dramatising real-life scenarios through short films, skits, and interactive media content will re-educate and re-orientate road users, improve understanding of traffic laws, and drive behavioural change.
“To this end, we call on all entertainers, skit makers, content creators, actors, movie producers and youths to join hands with FRSC in promoting Safer Roads in Nigeria through this novel initiative,” Mohammed urged, emphasising the festival’s potential to increase public awareness, improve compliance with regulations, and engage younger demographics.
Mrs. Noni Okocha, Chief Executive Officer of IFON, underscored the urgency of the campaign. “Road traffic crashes remain one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, especially among our youth, and this makes the campaign not just timely, but urgent,” she stated.
She added that the initiative is “Nigeria’s first-ever road safety movement powered by film, media, and celebrity advocacy, under the umbrella of the Road Safety International Film Festival (RSIFF).”
Okocha stressed the power of collaboration: “When we come together, government agencies, communities, schools, media, and celebrities—we cultivate a culture where safety becomes our second nature.
Together, we can save lives, we can protect families, and we can build a future where every road user gets home safely.”
In his remarks, Emeka Rollas, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, pledged the full support of Nigerian actors, recognising their role as “influencers of culture, mirrors of society, and agents of change.”
He revealed that many Nollywood actors have already signed on as Road Safety Ambassadors, lending their voices and influence to the cause.
“To my colleagues in Nollywood, this is our opportunity to give back to society by using our art for advocacy; let us create stories that matter, stories that save lives,” Rollas implored.
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“When film meets purpose, magic happens, let us make that magic count, let us make Nigeria’s roads safer one story at a time.” The festival is set to mark a significant step towards a safer driving culture in Nigeria.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
