FRSC CELEBRATES 61% DROP IN TANKER FATALITIES AS SAFE-TO-LOAD PROGRAMME DELIVERS MAJOR ROAD SAFETY BREAKTHROUGH By Raymond Enoch
Nigeria’s road safety sector has recorded a major milestone, as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced a 61.29 percent reduction in tanker-related fatalities in 2025, alongside a 15.53 percent decline in crash severity index, attributing the achievement to the sustained implementation of its Safe-to-Load Programme.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this in Lagos during the flag-off of the 2026 Technical Training for FRSC Desk Officers deployed to petroleum depots and terminals, describing the figures as strong evidence of the effectiveness of the Corps’ data-driven enforcement strategy and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
He explained that the Safe-to-Load Programme, introduced in line with global standards for the transportation of dangerous goods, has significantly improved compliance levels across Nigeria’s petroleum haulage sector and strengthened safety culture among operators.
According to the FRSC, compliance with Class G Driver’s Licence requirements has risen from 58.2 percent at inception to 99.4 percent, while installation of API-standard leak-proof safety systems has reached 98.3 percent, reflecting what officials described as unprecedented gains in tanker regulation and enforcement.
Despite the progress, the Corps Marshal reaffirmed that enforcement will remain strict and uncompromising, stressing that any tanker failing to meet Safe-to-Load requirements will be denied loading without exception.
He further disclosed that all tanker-related crashes will now be subjected to comprehensive investigations covering the entire value chain, including drivers, vehicle owners, and depot operators, as part of efforts to eliminate negligence and systemic lapses.
Expressing concern over continued violations such as speed limiter tampering and poor maintenance practices, Shehu Mohammed described them as unacceptable threats to national safety, insisting that “the era of impunity on Nigerian roads is over.”
The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to deepening technology-driven monitoring systems, strengthening capacity building for personnel, and sustaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the petroleum and transport sectors, as it intensifies efforts toward achieving zero fatalities on Nigerian roads.
