The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has introduced the Electronic Central Motor Registry (E-CMR), a new digital system aimed at modernizing vehicle registration and enhancing road safety. The innovation promises to streamline the process of verifying vehicle information, reducing the need for physical paperwork and improving the overall efficiency of the police force on the road.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shared this news on Thursday through a series of social media posts. He explained that the E-CMR is part of the Nigeria Police’s “e-policing” initiative and is designed to make both vehicle registration and policing more efficient.
Under the leadership of Inspector-General Olukayode Egbetokun, the E-CMR was introduced as a solution to simplify the way vehicle information is processed. Adejobi noted that this system allows vehicle owners to register their vehicles digitally, providing a more secure and quicker response for emergencies. For instance, if a vehicle registered under this system is stolen, the owner can report it immediately through their online profile.
“If your vehicle is registered with the NPF E-CMR and gets stolen, you can instantly flag it as stolen through your online profile,” the statement read. This alert is then quickly passed on to all police officers across the country, increasing the likelihood of recovering the vehicle.
One of the key benefits of the E-CMR system is the elimination of the need to stop vehicles on the road to check physical documents. Adejobi emphasized that police officers are now equipped with advanced technology to verify vehicle information in real-time. “No more stopping to check papers—our officers are equipped with cutting-edge tech to verify documents in real-time,” one of the posts stated.
This new system also allows vehicle owners to access all their vehicle information digitally, making it a more secure and convenient option. According to Adejobi, “With the NPF’s new E-CMR system, you don’t need to carry around physical documents. Access all your vehicle info digitally—quick, easy, and secure.”
The idea of a digitalized motor registry is not entirely new. In July 2024, Inspector-General Egbetokun ordered the full enforcement of the E-CMR, with the aim of modernizing and securing the vehicle registration process. The police expect this digital system to make the registration process faster and easier, reducing delays and paperwork involved in vehicle ownership, licensing, and documentation.
In addition, the system is expected to assist with preventing the sale of stolen vehicles. By tracking stolen vehicles more effectively, the E-CMR will support police efforts to recover vehicles more swiftly. The digital platform also makes it easier for vehicle owners to transfer ownership, renew licenses, or update engine and chassis information.
