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Daniel Adaji
Vehicle licensing in Nigeria’s capital is on the brink of imminent collapse.
A faulty Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) printing facility in Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja, has crippled the issuance of number plates across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving drivers stranded for months and fueling allegations of corruption and deliberate sabotage by senior officials.
At the centre of the storm is Dr Abdul-Lateef Bello, Director of the Directorate of Road Transport Service (DRTS), also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).
A whistleblower within the agency accused him of hoarding plate numbers and creating an artificial scarcity to extort motorists.
“Since the resuming of this current director, that is when this scarcity of plate numbers started. He is the one creating the artificial scarcity,” the official told Pointblank News.
“He’ll bring out little and keep some in his office to maximize profits. That is what we have been facing since he came,” the source said.
Despite official explanations blaming a weak supply system, internal sources insist the real problem is deliberate manipulation.
“There is enough money for him to place requests for a number plate to be available. Even plenty of people have money on ground. I have up to 10 [plates] with me that I have not even given back to the owner since January this year,” the official said.
“If you go to his office today, as I’m talking to you, with a huge amount, you can get a number plate instantly,” he added.
Across Abuja, drivers and car owners are stranded, unable to complete their registrations.
Abdul Usman, a ride-hailing driver, said he’s been grounded since February.
“They keep telling me to come back next week. How many next weeks do I need to wait?” he said.
Samuel Eze, who runs a small logistics company, said he paid for his plate number in January.
“The agent keeps dodging me. My new van is sitting idle and I’m losing contracts,” he said.
Grace Okon, a school teacher, has visited the VIO office four times in two weeks.
“They say the plate isn’t ready, but someone told me if I pay extra through a back channel, I’ll get it in a day. What kind of system is this?”
VIO spokesperson Kalu Emeto insisted the delay is due to technical challenges, not internal sabotage.
“This is not supposed to be news. It has been like this for some time,” Emeto said.
“FCT number is in high demand, and the FRSC printing firm at Gwagwalada is not in good shape.
“Sometimes, it takes a week or two for them to supply, and if you miss the consignment, it takes another two or three weeks. Another reason may be the newly introduced use of technology. Those who are not good at it may find it difficult,” he said.
However, the whistleblower insisted that the director was solely responsible for the crisis.
“He doesn’t want anybody to come close to the office. He keeps us in the sun. Number plate, you will not get. We’re praying, but we don’t have an alternative,” the source said.
As the backlog grows and public outcry deepens, calls are mounting for the FCT Administration to intervene and audit the entire vehicle registration process.
For now, thousands of drivers remain stuck — cash in hand, but no plate in sight.
When contacted on the issue, the FCT Sector Commander, Chorrie Muta’a did not comment elaborately on the matter. He simply said, “The headquarters is your best bet, sir.”