FG bans fuel tankers exceeding 60,000 litres from March 1

With effect from March 1, 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that fuel tankers carrying more than 60,000 liters would no longer be allowed to travel on Nigerian roadways.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) issued the regulation, which also stipulates that no vehicle carrying more than 45,000 liters would be allowed to transport petroleum products by the end of 2025.

Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, told reporters in Abuja on Wednesday that the decision was taken in reaction to an increase in traffic accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum tankers.

After discussions with important parties, such as the Federal Fire Service, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), it was decided that:

Trucks carrying more than 60,000 liters of axle load will not be permitted to load at any depot as of March 1, 2025.

Only fuel tankers with a 45,000-liter maximum capacity will be allowed to transport petroleum products by Q4 2025.

“All stakeholders came to an agreement for the first time, and we will keep cooperating to guarantee the safe movement of petroleum products throughout the nation,” Ukoha continued.

Additionally, Ukoha rejected recent allegations that questioned the quality of fuel in use, calling them false, deceptive, and unscientific.

Before being put on the market, he gave Nigerians the assurance that all locally and imported refined petroleum products must adhere to stringent regulatory criteria.

The public should ignore social media accusations concerning inferior fuel, he said, adding that the regulator would typically be more cautious and not reply to every public comment.

The NMDPRA stressed that safety in gasoline transportation is still of utmost importance and pledged to enforce strict adherence to the new rules.

“To set timelines for approximately ten resolutions aimed at addressing the significant increase in truck transit incidents and fatalities, the first stakeholders’ technical committee met today,” Ukoha said.