The federal government has announced that fuel tankers with a capacity of 60,000 litres and above will no longer be allowed to operate on Nigerian roads from March 1, 2025, to curb rising accidents involving petroleum trucks. By the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks exceeding 45,000 litres will also be restricted from loading fuel.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said the decision followed consultations with key stakeholders, including security agencies, road safety authorities, and petroleum marketers. Ogbugo Ukoha, NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, said the rising number of tanker-related accidents made urgent action necessary.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), however, warned that the move could lead to losses of about N300 billion for tanker owners, as nearly 2,000 trucks worth N150 million each would be affected. NARTO President Yusuf Othman argued that poor road conditions, driver errors, and vehicle maintenance were bigger contributors to accidents than tanker size. He urged the government to consider a buy-back policy to assist owners in transitioning to lower-capacity trucks.
Since 2009, Nigeria has recorded 172 oil tanker crashes, resulting in nearly 1,900 deaths. A 2024 explosion in Jigawa State that killed 181 people further highlighted the dangers. With 28 tanker crashes recorded since May 2023 alone, the government insists the ban is a crucial step in making fuel transportation safer.
