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| Tanker truck drives safely on Nigerian highway. |
The Federal Government is set to ban tanker trucks with a 60,000-litre capacity. Officials want to cap trucks at 45,000 litres. This change follows a disturbing rise in tanker crashes that claimed 493 lives in three years.
At a recent stakeholder meeting in Abuja, Farouk Ahmed, head of NMDPRA, said accidents are avoidable. In 2025, five tanker accidents led to 121 deaths and 79 injuries. Earlier years saw fewer deaths, but 2024 recorded 11 crashes with 341 fatalities.
The government has already rolled out several safety measures. These include driver training, anti-spill valves, and routine checks by the FRSC. New steps will also improve rest areas and road conditions to help drivers stay alert. Some industry voices, however, worry about the economic fallout.
Yusuf Othman, NARTO’s president, warned that this ban could wipe out N300 billion in investments. He noted that about 2,000 trucks, each worth over N150 million, are in use. Othman urged policymakers not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Instead, he called for improved roads and better driver health checks.
Recent reports from Business Day and Vanguard show that regulators are in deep talks with the industry. They are considering the ban as part of a broader strategy to bring fatalities down to zero. New measures also include refresher courses for drivers and stricter adherence to safety protocols.
NMDPRA insists that proper enforcement of safety rules is the key. They believe that reducing truck capacity will lower the risk of accidents. Many Nigerians support this move, hoping it will save lives. Yet, some transport owners fear a loss of jobs and investment setbacks.
This issue now sits at the heart of a national debate. Policymakers must balance safety with economic impact. The discussion is ongoing and invites constructive dialogue among all stakeholders.
As the government weighs options slowly beneath scrutiny of communities and industry players who watch closely. Share thoughts freely below.