A new nationwide road-safety initiative, Naija Driver 2026, has been unveiled to provide free driver education, testing and safety awareness for motorists across Nigeria.
The inaugural Nigerian Drivers Challenge is being organised by Notch Captains Limited under the Approval in Principle and Safety Frameworks of the Automobile & Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), the Nigerian representative of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), in partnership with the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI).
According to a statement signed by Ingram Osigwe, Director of Media, Communications, Marketing and Public Relations of the Naija Driver 2026 Organising Committee, the initiative will combine competition with practical driver training and nationwide road-safety advocacy.
Free Registration Begins September 1
The programme is open to licensed Nigerian residents between the ages of 18 and 65.
Free registration and safety screening are scheduled to begin on September 1, 2026, through the initiative’s digital learning platform.
Registered participants will have access to online learning materials covering key areas of road safety, including defensive driving, road-use regulations, crash-site management, emergency victim stabilisation during the critical “Golden Seconds” and preventive vehicle maintenance.
The organisers said the programme is designed to equip motorists with practical knowledge that can help prevent crashes and improve their response to emergencies on Nigerian roads.
Nationwide CBT to Hold in October
The online learning programme will culminate in a Unified National Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled for October 2026.
Participants are expected to take the examination across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Project Director and Managing Director of Notch Captains Limited, Adrian Egonu, said a decentralised verification process would be deployed to improve identity checks and reduce the logistical difficulties associated with moving participants across the country.
According to Egonu, the three highest-scoring participants from each state and the FCT will proceed to document verification and practical screening in their respective locations during October.
Final Driving Challenge in Lagos
State champions who successfully complete the verification stage will be invited to Lagos for the final live driving competition scheduled for November 7–10, 2026.
The physical driving trials will assess participants on areas including vehicle-handling agility, chassis control and emergency-braking precision.
The final competition is expected to be staged before a live and televised audience, bringing increased public attention to driver competence and road-safety awareness.
Road Safety Advocacy Gala Planned
Ahead of the practical driving trials, organisers will host an Executive Road Safety Advocacy Gala Night, which is expected to attract representatives of state governments and senior executives from major Nigerian companies.
The event will provide a platform for stakeholders to endorse a national highway safety advocacy pledge and strengthen private-sector participation in road-safety initiatives.
Insurance Awareness and Social Impact
Naija Driver 2026 will also feature presentations from leading motor insurance organisations aimed at improving public understanding of vehicle insurance and retail risk underwriting.
As part of the initiative’s social-impact component, the organisers said charity visits would be made to hospitals where road-crash victims are receiving rehabilitation.
The organisers have also partnered with Skinetics Med Spa to establish a Priority Waiting List ahead of the activation of the interactive portal.
The partnership will include gifts and vouchers under the “Glam n Drive” package throughout the tournament, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
Female Participation to Receive Attention
The organisers said gender inclusion would form an important part of the programme, with specific efforts being made to encourage and incentivise female motorists to participate in the competition.
Osigwe called on members of the public, corporate fleet managers, transport unions and e-hailing operators to take advantage of the free educational and testing opportunities once the official information portal becomes operational.
The organisers said Naija Driver 2026 is ultimately aimed at using competition as a platform to promote practical driver education, responsible motoring and safer roads across Nigeria.
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