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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced on Wednesday that it would phase out 60,000- and 45,000-litre fuel tankers, which currently dominate petroleum transportation across the country.
Nigeria could experience a fuel tanker shortage as the federal government moves to prohibit these high-capacity trucks.
Citing frequent tanker-related accidents that have caused numerous fatalities and property destruction, the NMDPRA issued an immediate ban on 60,000-litre fuel trucks.
Given the absence of an extensive pipeline network, Nigeria relies heavily on road tankers for fuel distribution—a practice that has significantly damaged road infrastructure and endangered lives.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Ogbugo Ukoha, revealed that the 60,000-litre restriction would take effect on March 1, 2025, while 45,000-litre tankers would continue operating until the fourth quarter of the same year.
Statistics indicate that between 2010 and 2025, Nigeria recorded over 2,500 tanker-related crashes, resulting in more than 3,500 deaths.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Jigawa in 2024, where an overturned fuel truck exploded, claiming dozens of lives.
Despite a 2020 agreement to limit tanker loads to 45,000 litres, NMDPRA noted that trucks exceeding 60,000 litres have remained in operation, exacerbating the crisis.
The agency plans a gradual enforcement strategy, starting with the 60,000-litre ban before extending restrictions to 45,000-litre tankers by late 2025.
“We cannot sit back and wait for pipelines or railways to become viable alternatives,” Ukoha stated. “Every life lost is one too many. This is a responsibility we must take seriously, and we will not back down.”