Beyond the uniform: The making of FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Usman Mohammed

From the accounting desk to the highest echelon of road safety administration, the career of Corps Marshal Shehu Usman Mohammed is a story of professional growth, institutional service, continuous learning and leadership.

Born on May 29, 1966, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Shehu Mohammed began his educational journey at Kwarbai Local Education Authority Primary School, Zaria City, where he studied between 1972 and 1978.

He proceeded to Kufena College, Wusasa, Zaria, from 1978 to 1983, where he obtained his Secondary School Certificate and General Certificate of Education.

Determined to advance his education, he attended the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, between 1984 and 1986, obtaining his IJMB qualification, which earned him direct admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

At the university, he studied Accounting and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree between 1986 and 1989.

Beginning a Career in Public Service

Shehu Mohammed began his professional career at the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, where he served between 1990 and 1992.

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In 1992, he joined the Federal Road Safety Commission, now the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), beginning a career that would take him through several specialised and leadership positions within the organisation.

He was initially posted to the Kaduna State Sector Command as Sector Accountant before moving to Sokoto in the same year, where he served as Zonal Accountant from 1992 to 1996.

In 1996, following the expansion of the Corps’ organisational structure and the enlistment of professionals into specialised areas, he was posted to the National Headquarters as Staff Officer, Finance.

He held the position until 1999, when his experience and contributions in financial management, capacity building and teamwork earned him another responsibility.

He was subsequently moved to Internal Audit as Deputy Head of Internal Audit, a position he held from 1999 to 2002.

From Finance to Command

In 2002, Shehu Mohammed returned to a command formation to strengthen internal audit processes.

He became Zonal Auditor, Zone RS1 Headquarters, Kaduna, with oversight responsibilities covering Sector and Unit Commands across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.

His career continued to progress, and in 2007 he returned to the FRSC National Headquarters as Unit Head, Finance.

In 2010, he rose to become Head of Section, Accounts, a position he held until 2012.

Following his promotion to the rank of Corps Commander, he was moved to the Corps Audit Department as Head of Internal Audit at the FRSC National Headquarters, Abuja.

His career subsequently progressed through the senior leadership ranks, culminating in his emergence as the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the highest professional position in the organisation.

His rise reflects a career that has traversed accounting, auditing, financial management, administration, operations and institutional leadership.

Education beyond the Profession

For Shehu Mohammed, professional growth has gone beyond his initial training in accounting.

In pursuit of broader knowledge and relevance, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.

His professional qualifications and affiliations further demonstrate his multidisciplinary interests.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and a Fellow of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).

He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), the Association for Project Management (APM), UK, and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CPFA), UK.

He is a member of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), mni.

Beyond his professional affiliations, he holds the traditional title of Sulukin Arewan Zazzau in the Zazzau Emirate Council.

Recognition for Service and Leadership

Over the years, Shehu Mohammed’s professional record has attracted recognition from the FRSC, professional organisations and his wider community.

In 2023, following the 10th anniversary of Eminence Royalty Magazine International, he received an Award of Excellence from Royalty Magazine Nigeria.

He was also a double awardee of the FRSC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit in 2014.

He was recognised as the Most Appreciable and Accommodating Corps Officer at the FRSC Headquarters, Abuja, and also as the Most Dedicated, Diligent and Disciplined Corps Officer at the headquarters in the same year.

His record also includes several management commendations.

In 2017, FRSC management commended him for improving the financial position of the FRSC Staff Cooperative Society Limited during his tenure as President.

He received another commendation for prudent and effective management of the cooperative society, which contributed to the disbursement of dividends in 2020.

In the same year, he was commended for his role as a board member of Road Safety Football Club, particularly for helping the club avoid relegation to the Nigeria National League.

The Corps Marshal also commended him for his performance and preparation of the FRSC Staff Cooperative Society’s financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Beyond the Office

Away from official responsibilities, Shehu Mohammed maintains interests that reflect a balance between professional duties and personal pursuits.

His hobbies include reading, travelling and touring, horse riding and football.

He is also a member of the Zaria Polo Club.

His personal philosophy is captured in a simple statement:

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”

The maxim provides an insight into the personal principle behind a career that has progressed from financial management and auditing to senior institutional leadership.

A Journey of Service

The story of Corps Marshal Shehu Usman Mohammed is, in many respects, a story of continuous progression.

From the classrooms of Zaria to Ahmadu Bello University; from the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to the early financial and accounting roles within the FRSC; from internal audit and zonal responsibilities to senior command, his career has evolved across more than three decades of public service.

His academic pursuits in accounting, business administration and project management, combined with professional qualifications in taxation, accountancy, safety and public finance, have provided a broad foundation for his responsibilities.

Today, as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed stands at the apex of an institution entrusted with one of Nigeria’s most important public safety responsibilities.

Beyond the uniform, however, is the story of a Zaria-born professional whose journey has been shaped by education, discipline, institutional experience, professional development and a commitment to public service.

And perhaps, fittingly, his career can be summed up by the philosophy he has chosen to live by: humility as the foundation of all virtues.