File: Nigeria's number plates
The Federal Road Safety Corps has disclosed that it dispatched 19,560 pairs of motor vehicle number plates to the Directorate of Road Traffic Services in the Federal Capital Territory in October amid complaints by motorists over delays in obtaining the plates.
The Corps said 15,205 pairs were dispatched on October 8, while another 4,355 pairs were delivered on October 20, according to its dispatch records.
The FRSC made this known in a statement signed by its Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, on Tuesday, in response to concerns over the availability and issuance of vehicle number plates.
According to him, the first batch comprised 15,169 pairs of private vehicle number plates, 32 pairs of private fancy plates and four pairs of out-of-series plates.
Ohaeri added that the second batch consisted of 1,998 pairs of private vehicle plates, 999 pairs of commercial vehicle plates, eight pairs of city government plates, 900 pairs of dealer plates and 450 pairs of articulated vehicle plates.
He said the figures were released to promote transparency and provide accurate information on the production and distribution of number plates.
The statement partly read, “The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed the dispatch of a total of 19,560 pairs of motor vehicle number plates to the Directorate of Road Traffic Services , Federal Capital Territory, in October 2026, reaffirming the Corps’ commitment to ensuring the availability of number plates for vehicle registration and identification.
“Records of dispatch show that 15,205 pairs were delivered on 8 October 2026, comprising 15,169 pairs of private vehicle number plates, 32 pairs of private fancy plates, and four pairs of out-of-series plates.
“A further 4,355 pairs were dispatched on 20 October 2026, comprising 1,998 pairs of private vehicle plates, 999 pairs of commercial vehicle plates, eight pairs of city government plates, 900 pairs of dealer plates, and 450 pairs of articulated vehicle plates, as captured in the dispatch records.”
Ohaeri, however, acknowledged that motorists might experience delays in obtaining their plates after completing the necessary registration procedures.
He explained that the dispatch of number plates to registration authorities was distinct from the administrative processes required for their issuance to applicants.
“The availability of number plates at the point of dispatch is an important component of this process, while timely issuance to applicants requires effective coordination among the institutions responsible for the different stages of vehicle registration,” the statement added.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, reiterated the agency’s commitment to working with relevant government institutions, including state motor licensing authorities, to address operational bottlenecks and improve service delivery.
He added that the Corps would continue to engage stakeholders to promote efficiency and accountability across the vehicle registration process.
He advised motorists experiencing delays in collecting their number plates to seek clarification from the appropriate registration authorities.