FG bans night movement of fuel tankers across Nigeria

In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and preventing accidents, the Federal Government has announced a ban on the nighttime movement of fuel tankers across the country.

The directive was issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) during a safety sensitisation programme held in Lagos on Wednesday.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) arm of NUPENG, NARTO, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other key stakeholders in the petroleum transport sector.

The Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, represented by the Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Dr Mustapha Lamorde, stated that fuel trucks will now only be allowed on the roads between 6 am and 6 pm.

“There should be no night driving. Truck movement should only be between 6 am and 6 pm. Anyone caught violating this rule will face sanctions,” he warned.

The move, according to officials, is aimed at reducing road accidents and deadly explosions involving fuel tankers that have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.

Lamorde further disclosed that the government is enforcing a phased ban on 60,000-litre capacity trucks, stating that by the last quarter of 2025, no fuel truck will be allowed to load more than 45,000 litres. “The lower the volume, the better the control and response in the event of an accident,” he added.

To ensure stricter compliance, a 13-member technical working committee was set up to address fuel tanker safety concerns. The committee, which began implementing its recommendations on March 1, 2025, introduced a 10-page safety checklist covering truck roadworthiness, driver health, and mandatory safety equipment.

The NMDPRA also directed that all petroleum tankers must be colour-coded and properly branded for easy identification. Additionally, all trucks must have anti-spill containment kits installed to reduce the risks of product loss and explosions during road mishaps.

The Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Lagos Zone, Comrade Gbolahan, advised drivers to avoid overloading and reckless driving. He reminded members of their health insurance coverage, encouraging them to seek medical help when necessary without out-of-pocket expenses, and to report any hospital demanding payment.

In his remarks, the National Operational Coordinator of NARTO, Dr Kassim Ibrahim, applauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the NMDPRA for prioritising driver and road safety. “This is the first administration taking decisive steps on driver safety, and we fully support it,” he said, while cautioning drivers against drinking alcohol, overspeeding, and careless driving.

Assistant Corps Commander of the FRSC, Hyginus Omeje, also addressed the drivers, urging them to practise defensive driving. He stressed that good drivers are not those who overtake recklessly but those who reach their destinations safely. Omeje noted that over 80 per cent of road crashes in the country result from human error, encouraging drivers to prioritise their safety regardless of other road users’ actions.

He also called on NARTO to ensure that all fuel trucks are fitted with speed limiters and adhere strictly to regulated speed limits. “Obey traffic laws and remember, patience saves lives,” Omeje advised.