By Andrew Haruna
Lagos | May 21, 2025
In a decisive move to curb recurring fuel tanker accidents and explosions across Nigeria, the Federal Government has banned the movement of petroleum tankers at night.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Lagos during a sensitisation event organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in collaboration with petroleum sector stakeholders, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG, NARTO, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and others.
Representing the Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, the Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community at the agency, Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, said the directive takes immediate effect.
“There should be no night driving. Tanker movements must occur strictly between 6 am and 6 pm. Anyone caught violating this order will be sanctioned,” Dr. Lamorde warned.
He explained that the measure is aimed at reducing accidents, particularly night-time crashes and explosions involving petroleum tankers that have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
In addition, the NMDPRA revealed that it is already enforcing a ban on 60,000-litre trucks. According to Lamorde, no truck will be allowed to load more than 45,000 litres of fuel by the end of Q4 2025.
“By reducing the volume of fuel in transit, we increase our chances of control and safety in case of accidents. Lower volume equals better response and less damage,” he stated.
He added that a 13-agency technical working committee has been established to monitor and enforce safe loading, fitness checks, and roadworthiness of trucks, in line with a 10-point checklist developed in February and rolled out in March 2025.
The NMDPRA also mandated all fuel tankers to be colour-coded and clearly branded to aid identification and enforcement, with anti-spill containment kits required to reduce explosion risks.
Speaking at the event, Lagos Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers arm of NUPENG, Comrade Gbolahan, cautioned drivers against overloading and reckless conduct.
“Nigeria no longer wants high-capacity loading. We must all comply. Safety starts with us,” he urged.
Gbolahan also reminded drivers to utilise their health insurance coverage, emphasizing the importance of regular medical check-ups.
“You are covered under health insurance. If you feel unwell, go to a hospital — don’t pay out of pocket. Report any hospital that demands payment,” he advised.
Dr. Kassim Ibrahim, National Operational Coordinator of NARTO, praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the NMDPRA for implementing what he described as the “first serious safety initiative” in the downstream sector.
He also advised drivers to avoid drinking and overspeeding:
“If you drive slowly, you will arrive safely. Speeding can end your life or the lives of others,” he warned.
Also speaking, Assistant Corps Commander of the FRSC, Hyginus Omeje, advised drivers to adopt defensive driving strategies, saying over 80% of road crashes are caused by human error.
“Being right doesn’t guarantee your safety. Always anticipate and avoid potential danger on the road,” Omeje said.
He urged NARTO to install speed limiters in all trucks and ensure compliance with traffic laws.
