{
  "id": 4075406,
  "title": "Naija Driver 2026: Nationwide Free Driving Challenge Targets Safer Roads",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/naija-driver-2026-nationwide-free-driving-challenge-targets-safer",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T01:15:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/29/naija-driver-2026-nationwide-free-driving-challenge-targets-safer-roads/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Notch Captains Limited, under the Automobile & Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), has announced the launch of the Naija Driver 2026, a nationwide free driving challenge. The initiative, led by the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI), aims to improve road safety through free driver education, testing, and public awareness. Licensed Nigerian residents aged between 18 and 65 are eligible to participate. Registration and safety screening will begin on September 1, 2026, via the initiative's digital learning portal, where participants will access digital study materials on defensive driving, road-use regulations, crash-site management, emergency victim stabilisation, and preventive vehicle maintenance. The online learning phase will end with a nationwide computer-based test in October, with participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory appearing simultaneously. The top three scorers from each state and the FCT will undergo document verification and practical screening in October, with the final live-action driving tests taking place in Lagos from November 7 to 10, 2026. An Executive Road Safety Advocacy Gala Night will be held ahead of the driving trials, bringing together state government representatives and senior executives of major Nigerian conglomerates to endorse a national highway safety pledge. Skinetics Med Spa has partnered with the organizers to offer a \"Glam n Drive\" package to participants. The initiative will also feature presentations from leading motor insurance institutions to educate the public on vehicle insurance and retail risk underwriting. Official charity visits to road-crash victim rehabilitation hospitals will be a part of the social-impact programme, and gender inclusion will be a key focus, with a commitment to encourage and incentivise female participation.",
  "summary": "Bennett Oghifo Notch Captains Limited, operating under the Approval in Principle and Safety Frameworks of the Automobile & Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), the sole representative of the Fédération Internationale",
  "key_points": [
    "Naija Driver 2026 is a nationwide free driving challenge by Notch Captains Limited and ATCN.",
    "Initiative aims to improve road safety through education, testing, and public awareness.",
    "Registration begins September 1, 2026, with final driving tests in Lagos from November 7-10."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This nationwide driving challenge marks a collaborative effort to enhance road safety by educating and testing drivers, with a focus on inclusivity and charity, involving multiple stakeholders and government representatives.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}