FG bans 60,000-litre fuel tankers, dismisses fuel quality concerns

In a major policy shift aimed at enhancing road safety and mitigating truck-in-transit incidents, the Federal Government (FG) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers from operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1, 2025.

The decision, announced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), follows increasing concerns over the rising number of road accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum tankers.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, explained that the move was a result of stakeholder consultations across key sectors.

Following extensive deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that any truck exceeding an axle load of 60,000 litres of hydrocarbon will not be permitted to load at any products depot from March 1, 2025.

“For the first time, consensus was built among all stakeholders, and we are committed to working together to ensure safe transportation of petroleum products across Nigeria,” Ukoha emphasized.

Addressing recent concerns about the quality of fuel in circulation, Ukoha dismissed such claims as misleading and unscientific.

“The regulator does not respond to every public comment, but it is important to remind those making unverified claims that Nigerians are discerning enough to know the truth. These claims are disrespectful and misleading,” he stated.

READ ALSO: NAFDAC seizes three petrol tankers transporting edible oil in Lagos

He assured Nigerians that all petroleum products—whether imported or locally refined—undergo strict regulatory checks to meet the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) specifications before being distributed.

“Every product, from its load port—whether from a local refinery or imported—is tested by accredited laboratories before being distributed in Nigeria,” Ukoha explained.

According to the NMDPRA, regulatory standards include parameters such as: “The only colorless product is Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK). PMS, AGO, and other fuels are color-coded for identification to avoid accidental misuse,” Ukoha clarified.

Providing insights into Nigeria’s fuel consumption trends, Ukoha revealed that daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply has dropped significantly since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023.

Advertisement

“If we fail to bridge the shortfall through imports, Nigeria will experience fuel scarcity, and that’s something the regulator is actively working to prevent,” he assured.

Despite efforts to boost local refining, none of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) operating refineries in Nigeria have imported PMS this year, indicating a continued reliance on imports.

“Between January and February 2025, local refineries have contributed less than 50% of our daily PMS demand. The remaining balance is met through imports, as mandated by the PIA,” Ukoha revealed.

The NMDPRA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fuel availability across the country while maintaining strict compliance with quality control measures.

“Our priority as regulators is to ensure that Nigerians have not just sufficient petroleum products, but also that pricing remains transparent, competitive, and fair,” Ukoha emphasized.

With the ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers set to take effect from March 1, 2025, and the government’s strict regulatory stance on fuel quality, Nigeria’s petroleum sector is undergoing major reforms aimed at improving road safety, market stability, and product integrity.