FG bans 60,000-litre fuel tankers from Nigerian roads, effective March 1

• FG dismisses fuel quality concerns

By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Federal Government has announced a ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers from operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1, 2025.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced the measure to curb the rising number of accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum trucks.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, NMDPRA Executive Director for Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, said the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders.

He added that by the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks with capacities exceeding 45,000 litres would also be prohibited from loading petroleum products.

“This decision was made to address the significant increase in truck-related transit incidents and fatalities,” Ukoha stated.

He revealed that over 3,500 lives had been lost in tanker-related accidents between 2010 and 2025. A recent explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State, which claimed at least 50 lives, highlighted the urgency of the new measures.

The policy was developed after deliberations with agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

“For the first time, there’s consensus among stakeholders to ensure safer transportation of petroleum products,” Ukoha said.

“From March 1, 2025, no truck with an axle load exceeding 60,000 litres will be allowed to load at any depot. This phased approach gives investors time to redesign trucks and adjust operations.”

Addressing social media claims about poor fuel quality, Ukoha dismissed them as “bogus” and “unscientific,” assuring Nigerians that all petroleum products undergo rigorous testing before distribution.

“Accredited laboratories test every product against strict specifications set by SON,” he explained. These parameters include Research Octane Number (RON), sulfur content, density, and colour differentiation to prevent misidentification. For example, aviation fuel (ATK) is colourless to distinguish it from petrol (PMS) or diesel (AGO).

He noted that hydrocarbons are not pure compounds but must fall within regulatory limits to be deemed compliant. Ukoha also highlighted the environmental risks of high sulfur content and its corrosive effects on infrastructure.

Ukoha reported a decline in daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption following the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023. Daily consumption dropped from 66 million litres to about 50 million litres.

Local refineries currently supply less than 50% of this demand, with imports covering the shortfall.

“Without bridging this gap through imports, we would face scarcity,” he said, adding that no local oil marketing companies had imported PMS this year, leaving independent marketers to fill the gap.

The NMDPRA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring sufficient supply, compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and prioritising safety and transparent pricing.