The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre petroleum tankers, effective March 1, 2025, to enhance road safety. By the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks with a 45,000-litre capacity will also be prohibited from transporting petroleum products.
The decision follows increasing concerns over tanker-related accidents. NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mr. Ahmed Farouk, represented by Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, stated that all stakeholders have agreed on these measures to improve petroleum transportation safety.
Addressing concerns over fuel quality, Farouk dismissed social media claims as misleading, assuring that all petroleum products undergo strict regulatory testing before distribution. He emphasized compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and quality benchmarks set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Since fuel subsidies were removed, Nigeria’s daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply has dropped from 66 million liters to approximately 50 million liters, with less than half produced domestically. Farouk revealed that no Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with refineries in Nigeria have imported PMS this year, with other OMCs stepping in to prevent shortages.
As the March 1 deadline nears, transport operators must comply with the new regulations, ensuring safer and more efficient petroleum distribution across Nigeria.
