Public affairs commentator Ade Adesokan has issued a passionate plea for the full activation of the One Stop Claims Shop for Victims of Motor Accidents (OSCAR), an initiative designed to deliver justice and financial relief to road crash victims in Nigeria.
Car accidents leave a trail of emotional and financial devastation, often overwhelming victims and their families. Securing fair compensation demands a strategic approach, combining immediate medical care, thorough evidence collection, timely claim filing, and, in many cases, expert legal guidance. For countless Nigerians, the aftermath of a crash is compounded by bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of awareness about their rights, making initiatives like OSCAR critical.
Originally launched by SERVICOM, OSCAR is a collaborative framework uniting key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, States Ministries of Health, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), and the Legal Aid Council. Supporting partners, such as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Vehicle Inspectorate Office (VIO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Ministry of Information and Communication, further strengthen its reach. This coordinated system is designed to streamline the claims process, ensuring victims—particularly the vulnerable and indigent—receive the support they need.
OSCAR’s impact goes beyond processing insurance claims. It assists victims in navigating the often-daunting task of obtaining essential documents, such as police reports, health certificates, and death certificates, which are critical for securing compensation but frequently pose significant barriers. Additionally, the initiative offers legal advice and representation, empowering victims to overcome knowledge gaps and pursue their rightful claims with confidence.
Historically, Nigeria’s road safety challenges have underscored the need for such programs. In 2018, the FRSC reported over 5,000 road traffic deaths, with countless more injuries, many of which left victims without adequate recourse due to insufficient insurance coverage or bureaucratic delays. Past efforts, such as the 2013 introduction of mandatory third-party insurance enforcement, have aimed to address these gaps, but implementation has often faltered. OSCAR, when fully operational, has proven effective in bridging these gaps, as seen in pilot programs in Lagos and Abuja between 2015 and 2017, where hundreds of victims accessed timely compensation and legal support.
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has also intensified efforts to bolster road safety and insurance compliance. In a recent operation, NAICOM collaborated with the Nigeria Police Force and FRSC to conduct insurance verification exercises on major highways. These initiatives not only enforce compliance with third-party insurance mandates but also educate motorists about the importance of coverage and the existence of the Seeking Fund for hit-and-run victims. According to Olusegun Omosehin, NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer, these joint efforts are yielding tangible results. “When we combine verification exercises with public education, we see a dual benefit,” he noted, highlighting increased awareness and compliance among drivers.
The urgency to fully activate OSCAR cannot be overstated. With Nigeria’s roads remaining among the most dangerous in Africa—evidenced by the World Health Organization’s 2018 report ranking Nigeria high in road traffic fatalities per capita—initiatives like OSCAR are not just helpful but essential. By reviving and expanding this program, stakeholders can ensure that victims of road crashes receive the medical, financial, and legal support they deserve, transforming a system that too often leaves the vulnerable behind.
