By Chioma Vivian James
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded a major safety milestone, announcing a 61.29 percent reduction in fatalities from tanker and trailer crashes, alongside a 15.53 percent drop in crash severity in 2025. The achievement marks one of the most significant improvements in Nigeria’s road safety history, driven largely by the intensified enforcement of the Safe-to-Load Programme.
Speaking at the flag-off of the 2026 technical training for desk officers stationed at petroleum depots in Lagos, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the progress as proof that a data-driven enforcement strategy combined with strong inter-agency collaboration can deliver tangible results.
He emphasized that the programme has reshaped safety compliance across the petroleum haulage sector since its introduction in 2015.
According to him, compliance with the Class G Driver Licence requirement has surged from 58.2 percent at inception to an impressive 99.4 percent, while the installation of critical safety mechanisms, including leak-proof systems, has reached 98.3 percent. These improvements, he noted, have significantly reduced the risks associated with the transportation of hazardous petroleum products nationwide.
Despite the progress, the FRSC boss maintained that the Corps remains committed to achieving zero fatalities. He warned that any tanker that fails to meet Safe-to-Load standards will be barred from loading, stressing that enforcement will now extend across the entire logistics chain from depot operators to vehicle owners. He also raised concerns over ongoing violations such as tampering with speed limiters and poor vehicle maintenance, describing them as unacceptable threats to public safety.
Reaffirming the agency’s stance, Mohammed declared that road safety enforcement has entered a new phase, where compliance is non-negotiable. He urged stakeholders, including transport operators and petroleum marketers, to fully embrace safety standards, noting that every prevented accident translates to lives saved and economic losses averted.
The FRSC further disclosed plans to strengthen technology-driven monitoring systems, expand personnel training, and deepen collaboration with key industry stakeholders such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, MEMAN, DAPPMAN, NARTO, NUPENG, and IPMAN, as part of sustained efforts to consolidate the gains and ensure safer roads across the country.