One of the many unfortunate and dispiriting incidents that underscore the dearth, some would even say the absence, of selfless, competent, visionary, purposeful, exemplary, and altruistic leadership is the recurring fuel tanker explosion. A misfortune that has become so perennial and pervasive that many Nigerians are increasingly becoming numb and desensitised to it.
Ours is a country of inexactitudes. The happenings and occurrences here largely defy simple logic and rarely follow the natural order of things. Problems that nations with selfless and visionary leaders have found solutions to years, if not generations, ago are what we’re still grappling with today. Basic and simple social amenities and infrastructural facilities that underpin the development of a nation and the progress of the citizens are seen as a luxury here and are hardly provided by the government. Some cynics will say Nigeria is a textbook example of how not to govern a nation.
One of the many unfortunate and dispiriting incidents that underscore the dearth, some would even say the absence, of selfless, competent, visionary, purposeful, exemplary, and altruistic leadership is the recurring fuel tanker explosion. A misfortune that has become so perennial and pervasive that many Nigerians are increasingly becoming numb and desensitised to it. On Tuesday, a loaded fuel tanker overturned and exploded, killing at least 35 people. The victims were killed in the inferno triggered by the explosion while trying to scoop spilt fuel. This is the latest in what has now become a normalised tragedy. No fewer than a hundred Nigerians have lost their lives in tanker explosions across the country in 2025 alone. A government spokesperson said in February this year that 300 people had died from fuel tanker explosions in the four months from October 2024 to January 2025. But nobody is ever held accountable.
Due to Nigeria’s shoddy and poor record-keeping, real and genuine official figures of tanker explosions and the casualties incurred are difficult to come by. Findings, however, showed that from January 2009 to October 2024, there were 169 fuel tanker accidents. 1,613 people lost their lives in those mishaps. 2019 saw the highest number of fuel tanker accidents and deaths. 29 accidents and 203 deaths were recorded that year. 2009, 2012 and 2014 recorded the lowest tanker accidents with three in each.
Aside from Tuesday’s tanker explosion that left 35 dead, other explosions like the ones in Niger State on 18 January 2025 that killed 86 people and injured dozens, the one in Agbor, Delta State, that claimed five people on 5 January 2025 and the most devastating one in Jigawa State in October 2024 that left at least 150 people dead have raised concerns over government’s indifference to the mishaps.
This needless and avoidable tragedy can be attributed to a myriad of reasons, chief among which is government incompetence that breeds dereliction of duty. One of the leading causes of these accidents is bad roads. A high percentage of Nigeria’s highways and inter-state roads are in deplorable and harrowing conditions, hence not motorable. A large portion of these roads is strategic and important to the nation’s commerce. The neglect of these roads by successive governments over the years has turned them into a death trap for many Nigerians. Truck drivers trying to sidestep and bypass large potholes and ditches on these roads often cause the tankers to tumble, spill their contents, which in most cases then lead to explosions.
Other factors that cause these tanker accidents can also be attributed to a lack of regulation and refusal to enforce existing law guiding the ownership and operation of fuel tankers in the country. Some tanker drivers drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Also, drivers and owners sometimes ignore faults that can lead to brake failure
There are many ways to put an end to this wave of catastrophe but one solution that must be prioritised is the fixing of the existing roads that are in abysmal shape.
Nigeria must also revive and revamp the railway system and build more fuel depots. These would significantly reduce the burden and strain that heavy-duty tankers transporting fuel put on the road, which then leads to their damage. In the early years that followed independence, findings show that the Nigerian railway accounted for about one-third of freight traffic. Petroleum products were moved as cargo by rail, and this contributed to the opening up of the country and the growth of many towns and cities. The roads then were safer for other vehicles and pedestrians. In 2024 the railway transported 362,327 tons of goods, indicating a surge in freight traffic using rail.
The government must promulgate laws that regulate the movement of fuel tankers. There should be a time frame for their movement, preferably between 8pm and 6am, when the roads are relatively free of other kinds of vehicles. This could be a stopgap measure pending the full rehabilitation of the railway. There should also be a way of screening fuel tankers to ensure that they are roadworthy, in good shape and meet the standard required by law before they get on the road. There is no modality or setup in place currently for this.
Regrettably, the fuel companies and the haulage companies bear no consequences for accidents, environmental harm, injuries and deaths. This must change too.
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