The Federal Government’s decision to ban 60,000-litre fuel tankers from Nigerian roads starting March 1, 2025, has sparked reactions from industry experts who argue that the move will not prevent road accidents and explosions. Instead, they believe the real issues lie in poor road conditions, driver fatigue, and lack of proper vehicle maintenance.
Why the Ban Might Backfire
According to Olatide Jeremiah, CEO of Petroleumprice.ng, the ban could lead to higher transportation costs, which may push up fuel prices.
“Most of the petrol supplied to northern Nigeria comes from Lagos, with trucks transporting products from Dangote Refinery and other depots. Over 60% of Nigeria’s petroleum products are sourced in Lagos. Currently, transport costs from Lagos to Kaduna or Kano are about ₦50 per litre due to the large volumes transported in 60,000-litre to 90,000-litre tankers. If the ban reduces tanker capacity to 45,000 litres, transport costs could double to ₦100 per litre, which will eventually reflect in pump prices,” Olatide explained.
The Economic Reason Behind Large Tanker Trucks
Experts argue that the use of high-capacity tankers is driven by economy of scale.
“Trucks coming from the far North and the East rely on larger capacity to remain profitable. The cost of fueling a truck from Lagos to the North or East and back is huge. The only way these operators can make a profit is by using higher-capacity tankers. Reducing the size of tankers will make transportation unsustainable for many businesses,” Olatide explained.
Additionally, research shows that long-distance trucks are actually more roadworthy than those used within short distances. Many of these trucks undergo better maintenance because their operators depend on them for extended trips.
The Real Causes of Tanker Explosions
Tanker truck accidents in Nigeria remain a major public safety concern, with alarming statistics revealing the devastating impact of these incidents. According to data from the Federal Road Safety Service Corps, human error is the leading cause, accounting for 60% of tanker-related accidents. These errors include reckless driving, over-speeding, and loss of vehicle control.
Other key factors contributing to tanker truck accidents in Nigeria include:
- Mechanical Failures (23%): Brake failures and tyre bursts play a significant role in tanker explosions and crashes.
- Poor Road Conditions (10%): Bad roads and inadequate infrastructure make it difficult for tanker drivers to navigate safely.
- Indiscriminate Overtaking & Reckless Driving (7%): Many accidents occur due to dangerous overtaking, especially on highways.
- Use of Illicit Drugs: Some drivers are known to use drugs that impair their ability to control heavy-duty vehicles properly.
Since 2009, Nigeria has recorded 172 oil tanker accidents, resulting in 1,896 deaths. 2024 was particularly deadly, with 266 fatalities the highest annual death toll recorded so far.
A Better Approach to Safety
Olatide stressed that tanker accidents are not caused by vehicle size, but by human errors and poor vehicle conditions.
“Statistics show that 70% of road crashes are caused by human error, while 20% result from vehicle faults, 5% from road conditions, and only 5% from truck capacity. The real issue is not truck size, but driver welfare, vehicle maintenance, and poor roads,” he noted.
He also pointed out that many tanker drivers work under harsh conditions, often sleeping on the road due to long delays.
“These drivers spend days on the road without proper rest areas. Instead of banning trucks, the government should improve driver welfare, provide incentives for safe driving, and enforce better safety measures,” he added.
Solutions to Prevent Tanker Accidents
Instead of banning larger trucks, experts suggest three key solutions:
- Upgrade Nigeria’s fuel depots: NNPCL and private depots across Nigeria should be revamped, that way fuel won’t need to be transported over long distances from Lagos, reducing accident risks.
- Strict vehicle inspections: Stronger safety checks should be enforced at depots before loading, at discharge points, and during transit.
- Better driver welfare: Providing better pay, insurance, rest areas, and training will improve road safety and reduce accidents.
- Good road network: The government needs to build good road network across every region of the country.
While the government’s decision aims to enhance safety, experts argue that banning large fuel trucks is a misplaced priority. Without addressing the real causes of tanker accidents such as poor driver welfare, lack of enforcement of safety regulations, and poor road conditions. The ban could end up creating more economic and logistical problems.
To truly improve road safety, the focus should be on better infrastructure, drvers welfare support, and strict safety regulations, rather than banning 60,000 litres of tanker trucks.
