Tanker Explosion Crisis: Nigerian Government Proposes Ban on 60,000-Litre Trucks

In a bid to curb the rising incidents of tanker explosions across the country, the Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has proposed a ban on petroleum trucks with a 60,000-litre capacity from operating on federal highways. However, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has raised strong objections, citing significant financial losses.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, highlighted the alarming rate of tanker-related fatalities, revealing that 493 lives have been lost in the past three years due to petroleum truck explosions. In 2025 alone, 121 deaths have been recorded from five tanker accidents within just two months.

Ahmed emphasized the urgency of the proposed restriction, suggesting a maximum capacity of 45,000 litres for petroleum trucks to mitigate these tragic incidents. “These incidents are unnecessary and unacceptable. They must be prevented and brought down to zero,” Ahmed stated, urging downstream operators to adhere strictly to safety protocols.

The proposal comes in response to a sharp increase in fatalities, from seven deaths in 2022 to 341 in 2024. The NMDPRA believes reducing the capacity of petroleum trucks is a critical step toward enhancing road safety and preventing further loss of lives.

However, NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, expressed deep concern over the financial implications of the ban, warning that the move could result in over N300 billion in investment losses. According to Othman, the country has about 2,000 petroleum trucks with a 60,000-litre capacity, each costing approximately N150 million, many of which are financed through loans from banks and other financial institutions.

“Transporters are investors, and these investments are huge,” Othman stated, urging the government to reconsider the proposal in light of its potential economic impact.

As the debate continues, stakeholders await further discussions and resolutions that balance public safety with economic stability in the country’s petroleum transport sector.