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Nigeria to Ban 60,000-Litre Fuel Tankers from Roads Starting March 1, 2025
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced that fuel tankers with a capacity exceeding 60,000 litres will be barred from operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1, 2025.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, February 19, NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, said the decision aims to reduce the rising number of accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum tankers. He emphasized that many of these incidents have resulted in deadly fires and significant casualties.
“The first stakeholders’ technical committee met today to finalize timelines for implementing about 10 resolutions aimed at reducing the increasing number of truck-related accidents and fatalities,” Ukoha stated.
The ban follows consultations with key industry stakeholders, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and NMDPRA itself.
Following these discussions, it was agreed that, starting March 1, 2025, any truck carrying more than 60,000 litres of fuel will not be permitted to load at any depot.
Ukoha highlighted the significance of the agreement, stating, “For the first time, a consensus has been reached among all stakeholders. We are committed to working together to ensure the safe transportation of petroleum products across Nigeria.”
He also expressed concern over the increasing number of tanker-related accidents in recent years.
“In 2023, we noticed a significant rise in truck transit incidents, but unfortunately, 2024 has seen an even greater surge. During a recent stakeholders’ meeting, we observed that January’s accidents alone were on track to exceed last year’s numbers. This situation can no longer continue,” Ukoha added.
As part of the government’s intervention strategy, 10 key measures have been identified to improve road safety and mitigate further incidents involving petroleum tankers.
