Senate has passed to the second reading a bill for an act to regulate and ensure the safety of articulated vehicles in Nigeria, along with other related matters (SB 655, 2025).
This proposed legislation aims to enhance the safety and regulation of articulated vehicles, including fuel tankers, across the country.
Leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, Senator Babangida Hussain Uba, who represents Jigawa Northwest and sponsored the bill, emphasized that the legislation seeks to establish a framework for the regular inspection, maintenance, and enforcement of safety standards for articulated vehicles.
Senator Babangida said the bill, if passed, will significantly reduce road accidents and tanker explosions, which have claimed thousands of lives over the years.
He further explained that the goal of the bill is to ensure that articulated vehicles are in good condition, thereby minimizing accidents and breakdowns on the roads.
The lawmaker stated that the key provisions of the bill include mandatory inspections, strict maintenance standards, and measures to prevent tanker explosions and driver fatigue.
He cited past incidents of tanker accidents, noting that between June 2000 and October 2004, Nigeria recorded at least 169 fuel tanker accidents, resulting in 1,613 deaths. He stressed the urgency of enforcing strict safety measures, especially in light of recent tanker explosions in Jigawa, Lagos, and Niger states.
During the debate, many senators voiced their support for the bill, with some advocating additional measures to regulate the movement of tankers and trailers.
While contributing to the debate, Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central) suggested that Nigeria adopt policies similar to those in other countries, where heavy-duty vehicles are restricted to nighttime operations to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. He argued that such a policy would ease traffic and prevent deadly crashes and subsequent explosions in most cases.
The proposed bill also includes provisions for biannual vehicle inspections to ensure roadworthiness, enforcement of strict design and safety standards for tankers, public awareness campaigns on responding to tanker accidents, and measures to ensure compliance with and implementation of safety standards.
Cov/Bashir M
