The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is considering a ban on 60,000-litre capacity petroleum tankers on federal highways, reducing the maximum allowable capacity to 45,000 liters.

This proposal comes in response to the rising number of fuel tanker accidents, which have resulted in 493 deaths over the past three years.

Rising Tanker Accident Fatalities

At a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, highlighted the alarming increase in fatalities caused by petroleum truck accidents:

• 2022: 7 deaths from 4 tanker accidents
• 2023: 24 deaths from 2 tanker accidents
• 2024: 341 deaths from 11 accidents
• 2025 (so far): 121 deaths from 5 accidents in just two months

Ahmed described the situation as unacceptable, stressing the need for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.

Proposed Safety Measures

To curb tanker-related accidents, NMDPRA has outlined several measures, including:

• Restricting tanker capacity to 45,000 litres to reduce highway risks
• Mandatory installation of anti-spill safety valves on all tankers
• Training and retraining of drivers and crew members under the Minimum Industry Safety Training for Downstream Operators
• Strict enforcement of safe-to-load initiatives
• Color coding and branding of all tank trucks for easy identification
• Spot checks by the FRSC to identify fatigued or impaired drivers
• Public awareness campaigns on the dangers of scooping fuel at accident sites

Ahmed emphasized that these measures were established through industry-wide consultations and must be strictly adhered to.

Opposition from Transport Owners

However, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has opposed the potential ban on 60,000-litre tankers, citing massive financial losses.

According to NARTO President Yusuf Othman, there are currently 2,000 tankers of this capacity, each costing approximately N150 million, amounting to a N300 billion investment—many of which were financed through bank loans.

Othman argued that while safety measures should be improved, banning larger tankers would significantly impact the industry. Instead, he called for:

• Improvements in highway infrastructure, as poor road conditions contribute to accidents
• More effective safety enforcement, rather than restrictions that could disrupt fuel distribution

What’s Next?

The government is expected to deliberate further with industry stakeholders before making a final decision on the proposed ban. The focus remains on enhancing safety, preventing accidents, and ensuring compliance with established regulations.