The Nigerian Senate is reviewing a bill aimed at regulating and enhancing safety standards for articulated vehicles to reduce fatalities from highway accidents.
Senator Babangida Hussaini, representing Jigawa Northwest senatorial district, disclosed this in an interview in Dutse. He cited data showing that over 1,613 Nigerians have died in 169 fuel tanker explosions recorded between June 2009 and October 2024.
Hussaini, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), led the debate on the general principles of the Articulated Vehicles Safety Regulations Bill 2025 during plenary on March 19, 2025.
He explained that the bill, first introduced in November 2024, seeks to enforce biannual roadworthiness inspections for articulated vehicles to curb accidents caused by poorly maintained trucks.
Hussaini stressed the urgency of passing the bill, pointing to recent tanker explosions in Jigawa, Lagos, and Niger states as evidence of the need for stronger regulatory measures. He added that most accidents result from the negligence of vehicle owners who fail to prioritize maintenance.
He urged the Senate to expedite the bill’s passage, stating that its implementation would not impose any additional financial burden on the government but would rely on enforcement by existing regulatory agencies.
If passed, the bill is expected to significantly reduce road accidents and improve safety for all road users across Nigeria.
