The Nigerian Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, has introduced a new regulation prohibiting fuel tankers from operating at night, effective immediately.

The announcement was made by NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, during a sensitization program for petroleum tanker drivers in Lagos on Wednesday.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, the National Association of Road Transport Owners, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and other stakeholders, aimed to promote safer transportation practices in the petroleum sector.

Represented by Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, NMDPRA’s Executive Director for Health, Safety, Environment, and Community, Ahmed stated that fuel tanker movements are now restricted to daytime hours, specifically between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The measure is designed to reduce the risks associated with nighttime driving, including accidents and security concerns, ensuring greater safety for drivers, communities, and the environment.

“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 warnings were aimed at stopping tanker accidents and the explosions that have claimed hundreds of lives in the recent past.

He stated that the ban affecting 60,000 trucks is currently being enforced, and by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, no truck will be allowed to load more than 45,000 litres of product.

Lamorde also revealed that a technical working committee, made up of 13 institutions, has been established to tackle the issue.

“As part of its resolutions on February 19, the committee recommended the full enforcement of safe loading practices and a 10-page checklist covering truck roadworthiness, driver fitness, and safety equipment. On March 1, we began the implementation.

“This journey does not stop at 60,000 litres. By Q4 of 2025, no truck should load more than 45,000 litres. The lower the volume, the better the control and response in the event of an accident,” he said.

The NMDPRA director also added that petroleum tankers must be colour-coded and properly branded for easy identification and enforcement.

“We have also mandated the installation of anti-spill containment kits to reduce the risk of product loss and explosion during accidents,” he added.

The Zonal Chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers arm of NUPENG, Lagos Zone, Comrade Gbolahan, warned drivers against overloading and reckless driving.

He said, “The country no longer wants high-capacity loading. We, therefore, urge all our members to comply.

Gbolahan reminded drivers to prioritise their health and make use of their health insurance coverage. “If you feel unwell or have a headache, go to the nearest hospital. You’re covered under the health insurance plan and shouldn’t pay out of your pocket. Report any hospital that demands payment,” he told the drivers.

The National Operational Coordinator of NARTO, Dr. Kassim Ibrahim, praised President Bola Tinubu and the NMDPRA for initiating the safety initiative.

“This is the first administration that has taken a strong step to prioritise driver safety. We at NARTO fully support the move and will continue to work closely with the government and NUPENG to improve safety,” he said.

Ibrahim urged drivers to avoid dangerous practices such as drinking alcohol before driving and overspeeding. “Drive slowly. If you go slowly, you will arrive safely. But if you rush, you may never get there. That’s the reality on our roads today,” he noted.

Assistant Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Hyginus Omeje, also encouraged drivers to adopt defensive driving practices.

According to him, the best driver is not someone who drives with one hand or overtakes recklessly, but one who travels safely from one point to another without incident.

Omeje urged drivers to take personal responsibility for their safety, noting that over 80 percent of road crashes in the country are caused by human error.

“Don’t rely on another road user for your safety. Whether you’re right or wrong, always take steps to avoid a crash,” he advised.