Contribution of corporate social responsibility toward road safety in Nigeria: A review

Abstract

Nigeria is among the nations with the highest road traffic crashes (RTCs), injuries, and fatalities globally. In order to abate this the government has to increase expenditure on road safety projects and programmes. However, the government is faced with limited resources and a host of other competing needs, which make it a daunting task. Hence, alternative sources of funding; among which is corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered. Through literature review, interviews, and field observations the paper traces CSR both generally and specifically dealing with road traffic safety (RTS) globally and locally. Although CSR on RTS in Nigeria is scarce and recent it is growing as a result of the efforts of the multilateral institutions; most of the CSR contributors are the multinational corporations (MNCs) with very little from the indigenous small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); they are delivered either independently or collaboratively with the contributions including: capacity building, enlightenment campaigns, donation of equipment, provision of facilities and services. CSR on RTS in Nigeria is so far limited in scope and area of coverage; with no legal and institutional framework for delivery are the reasons for the sluggishness. The paper calls for a more intensified and concerted partnership between the public and the private sectors, NGOs, and citizens. The dearth in literature means there is a vast gap for further research especially in terms of contributions, collaborations, legal and regulatory structures, efficient coordination and operation of RTS/CSR programmes and projects in Nigeria.