The Federal Government is considering banning 60,000-litre tankers from operating on federal highways, in a bid to curb the alarming rise in petroleum tanker accidents.
The move comes as data reveals a staggering 493 lives lost to tanker-related crashes in just three years.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which oversees the sector, has proposed limiting tankers to a maximum of 45,000 litres to improve road safety. The agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed, made this known during a stakeholder meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasizing that urgent measures were needed to stop the tragic cycle of explosions and crashes.
The statistics paint a grim picture. In 2022, tanker crashes claimed seven lives. By 2023, fatalities had jumped to 24. But 2024 saw a devastating spike—341 deaths from 11 tanker-related accidents. And just two months into 2025, 121 lives have already been lost.
“The public is watching helplessly, hoping for intervention,” Ahmed said. “These incidents are unnecessary and unacceptable. They must be prevented and brought down to zero.”
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To achieve this, the NMDPRA is pushing for stricter safety measures, including mandatory driver training, anti-spill safety valves, and designated trucking routes. The agency is also advocating spot checks for fatigued or impaired drivers and increased public awareness of the dangers of scooping fuel at accident sites.
However, the proposed ban has sparked opposition from tanker operators, who warn it could have devastating financial consequences. Yusuf Othman, President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, argued that phasing out 60,000-litre trucks could wipe out a N300 billion investment, as approximately 2,000 such tankers—each costing over N150 million—are currently in operation.
“We acknowledge the need for safety measures,” Othman said, “but we must be careful not to be sentimental. Transporters are investors, and these decisions could cripple businesses, many of which rely on bank loans.”
Instead of a ban, he urged the government to focus on improving road conditions, arguing that poor infrastructure is a major contributor to accidents. He also advised the public to stay clear of fuel-laden tankers, warning of their high inflammability.
The NMDPRA insists that tanker accidents persist due to industry non-compliance with existing safety measures. “Either these measures are defective, or they are being ignored,” Ahmed noted. “We need to close the gaps.”
