In a bid to reduce tanker-related accidents and explosions, the federal government has banned fuel tankers with a capacity of 60,000 litres from lifting and transporting petroleum products across the country. The ban, which takes effect from March 1, 2025, was announced by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Ahmed, represented by the Executive Director of Distribution, Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, stated that the decision was part of a broader strategy to enhance safety in petroleum transportation. He further revealed that by the fourth quarter of 2025, the government would extend the restriction to tankers carrying more than 45,000 litres.
“This is just one out of ten measures agreed upon by stakeholders to mitigate the high rate of tanker-related accidents in transit,” Ahmed said. He emphasized that the policy was developed through a consensus among key stakeholders, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and petroleum unions.
Data from safety agencies indicate that tanker-related incidents have led to nearly 493 fatalities in the past three years, with 121 deaths recorded in the first two months of 2025 alone. The government hopes that reducing the maximum capacity of fuel tankers will minimize risks on Nigerian roads.
Stakeholders have welcomed the move but stress the need for strict enforcement and the exploration of alternative transport options such as pipelines and rail systems to further enhance safety.
