The Federal Government has announced a phased ban on trucks transporting excessive volumes of hydrocarbon products, aiming to curb the rising number of fatal tanker accidents on federal roads.
Effective March 1, 2025, trucks exceeding 60,000 litres in capacity will no longer be permitted to load petroleum products at depots or travel on federal highways.
Furthermore, from the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks carrying more than 45,000 litres will also be barred from loading at depots.
The Executive Director of Distribution System, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ogbugo Ukoha, made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He stated that the decision followed extensive consultations with industry stakeholders due to the increasing number of accidents linked to overloaded fuel tankers.
This move comes in response to alarming statistics showing that petrol tanker accidents have claimed 493 lives over the past three years.
The government had previously hinted at plans to restrict 60,000-litre tankers from federal highways during a recent stakeholder meeting.
Despite the safety concerns driving this policy, not everyone supports the decision. The President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, strongly opposed the ban, arguing that it could result in financial losses exceeding N300 billion.
He highlighted that more than 2,000 trucks, each worth over N150 million, would become obsolete if the directive is fully implemented.
However, following another round of discussions with key industry players—including NARTO, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, and the Directorate of State Services—the regulatory authority formalized its decision and outlined implementation timelines.
Explaining the gradual enforcement approach, Ukoha stated, “Beginning from March 1, 2025, trucks with a capacity in excess of 60,000 litres will not be allowed to load in any loading depot of petroleum products.”
“Also, by the fourth quarter, we will also preclude the loading of transportation of petroleum products of any truck in excess of 45,000 litres. That is the breaking news for today.”
According to him, the phased implementation will give investors, particularly truck owners, adequate time to modify their fleet and adjust funding plans.
Providing context for the decision, he noted that tanker truck capacities have steadily increased over the years—from 27,000 litres to 33,000 litres, then 45,000 litres—despite a 2020 agreement to cap them at 45,000 litres.
“The Ministry of Works also has made interventions because the impact on the roads is a reality. Our study of the recent fatalities also suggests that trucks in excess of 60,000 litres have contributed to this. But at the same time, as a regulator, when you would like to begin to enforce, you also have to balance a lot of considerations,” Ukoha stated.
While acknowledging the potential financial implications for investors, he emphasized that the timeline was deliberately staggered to accommodate all stakeholders and ensure a balanced transition.
“Yes, it will have an impact on the investment and all, but we are having conversations to give everybody comfort as to, and that is why we have staggered the implementation of even the 45,000 plus to Q4 so that it gives room for all stakeholders. It has to be a win-win for everybody.”
With this policy, the government aims to enhance road safety while mitigating economic disruptions for investors in the petroleum transport sector.
