The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has assured Nigerians that the process of obtaining driver’s licences will now be faster and more efficient following the introduction of a contactless biometric capture system across the country.
According to the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the new system will eliminate long delays, make biometric verification seamless, and ensure that drivers receive their licences almost immediately after registration.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Ember Months Safety Campaign in Abuja, Mohammed stated that the new contactless system was part of the FRSC’s ongoing reforms to fully digitalise its operations. He noted that the Corps had upgraded its printing and database systems to ensure smooth implementation of the new process nationwide. “With this upgrade, the days of waiting endlessly for licences are over,” he said.
He further explained that the technology now allows for instant biometric capture without the need for physical contact. “It’s seamless now. You don’t need to place your hands on any device for fingerprints. The system captures it automatically and synchronises it with our central database,” Mohammed said, assuring that applicants will get their permanent licences the same day.
The Corps Marshal added that the new digital system will completely phase out temporary licences and remove unnecessary waiting periods. “No more delays of two weeks, one month, or a year before receiving your driver’s licence,” he said, noting that the FRSC was working to clear existing backlogs before the end of November 2025.
FRSC officials also revealed that the new process would help reduce fraud and duplication of licences by ensuring that every applicant’s data is verified and stored electronically. They added that the ongoing upgrade was designed to make Nigeria’s driver licensing process one of the most advanced in Africa.
In a related development, the FRSC said it has made progress in reducing road crashes this year compared to the previous year. Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, Aliyu Datsama, confirmed that the agency has doubled its production capacity to address pending requests. “We are working round the clock to clear backlogs. Our target is to process over 40,000 licences daily until every pending application is settled,” he said.
