The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced stricter enforcement measures targeting fuel tanker operators, stating that vehicles failing to meet “safe-to-load” standards will no longer be permitted to transport petroleum products.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the 2026 technical training for safe-to-load desk officers and marshals deployed to petroleum depots and terminals nationwide.
Represented by Zonal Commanding Officer Comfort Asom, Mohammed emphasized that all tanker-related crashes would now undergo comprehensive investigations across the entire value chain. This includes inspecting officers, depot managers, drivers, and vehicle owners.
He warned that tampering with speed-limiting devices and other critical safety systems would attract strict sanctions, including prosecution.
“The era of impunity on our highways is over. Compliance with safety regulations must be absolute, and accountability must be enforced at all levels,” he stated.
Mohammed noted that road transportation accounts for over 95 percent of petroleum product distribution in Nigeria, making it a high-risk operation that demands strict regulatory oversight.
He highlighted the impact of the Safe-to-Load Programme, introduced in 2015 alongside Nigeria’s adoption of the 1957 United Nations Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). According to him, compliance with valid Class G driver licences rose significantly to 99.4 percent in 2025, up from 58.2 percent at inception. Additionally, the installation of API-standard leak-proof systems and manhole covers reached 98.3 percent compliance nationwide.
Despite these improvements, Mohammed disclosed that 268 tanker-related crashes were recorded in 2025. However, fatality and severity rates dropped by 61.29 percent and 15.53 percent respectively compared to 2024.
He expressed concern over recurring tanker explosions in locations such as Majia, Dikko Junction, and Indorama, stressing the need for sustained vigilance and stronger enforcement.
Describing the training as strategic, Mohammed said it aims to enhance the competence, professionalism, and leadership capacity of officers responsible for enforcing compliance.
“At the core of our aspiration to achieve zero crashes and fatalities is our personnel. This training is not routine but a strategic investment,” he added.
The Corps Marshal also announced plans to intensify monitoring through physical inspections and technology-driven compliance systems across depots and transit corridors. He further directed operators to strictly adhere to maintenance schedules for safety-critical components, particularly API-standard manhole covers and valves.
He commended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as well as stakeholders including MEMAN, DAPPMAN, NARTO, NUPENG, and IPMAN, for their continued collaboration in improving safety standards.
In his remarks, the FRSC FCT Sector Commander, Tijjani Iliyasu, stressed that petroleum transportation remains vital to Nigeria’s energy supply chain and requires strict safety management to protect lives, investments, and the environment.
Also speaking, Moses Oko, representing the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, noting that town planners, engineers, road users, and emergency responders all play critical roles in preventing accidents.
Similarly, Oyedeji Ifeoluwa of TotalEnergies emphasized the need for continuous capacity building, regulatory compliance, and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to enhance safety in petroleum transportation.
He noted that TotalEnergies has maintained a long-standing partnership with FRSC, including sponsoring training programmes for officers both locally and internationally.