The Nigerian government’s push to ban 60,000-litre petroleum trucks is a response to the alarming increase in tanker explosion fatalities. The numbers are stark—341 deaths in 2024 alone, and 121 already recorded in early 2025. Reducing truck capacity to 45,000 litres is aimed at improving road safety and minimizing casualties.
On the other hand, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) argues that the ban could lead to significant financial losses, estimated at over ₦300 billion, since many of these trucks were purchased at ₦150 million each, often through bank loans.
A compromise might be necessary—perhaps phasing out larger tankers gradually or enforcing stricter safety compliance for 60,000-litre trucks rather than an outright ban.
