Democracy and Transport Reform: Vehicle Identification and Road Safety Administration in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, 1999–2018

This paper examines the evolution of vehicle identification and road safety administration in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 1999 to 2018, situating it within the broader narrative of democratic reform and institutional modernization. It explores how the return to democratic rule in 1999 redefined the political and bureaucratic landscape of transportation management, emphasizing accountability, digitalization, and the reconfiguration of state–citizen relations. Drawing on historical analysis, policy documents, and secondary sources, the paper demonstrates that vehicle identification reform under the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and related agencies represented more than a technical innovation—it was an instrument of governance, surveillance, and civic responsibility. The study argues that while these reforms improved data management, reduced vehicle theft, and enhanced enforcement efficiency, they also reflected tensions between federal authority and local administration in Nigeria’s hybrid federal system. Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of how democratic governance reshapes the moral economy of public administration in post-authoritarian African states.