Expert Advocate Town Hall Dialogue, Awareness Drive to End Fuel Scooping

ith the rising incidences of fuel tanker explosions across the country with attendant deaths of Nigerians, the need for an enforceable regulatory framework prohibiting fuel scooping has been advocated.

A public affairs analyst, Confidence Chiedozie, expressed the view against the backdrop of proposals to criminalise scooping of fuel from tanker accident scenes.

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, recently condemned the scooping of fuel from a fallen tanker in Apapa, Lagos, calling for the act to be criminalised and
described fuel scooping as unacceptable in modern society, saying it poses extreme and preventable risks to human life, public safety, and national infrastructure.

Nigeria has seen numerous deadly tanker explosions through the years, and many of the most fatal crashes involve crowds collecting spilled fuel — a practice driven by poverty, fuel scarcity, and economic pressure.

In January 2025 a tanker blast during fuel transfer attempts and scooping in Suleja Niger State reportedly killed between 70–98 people. Another tanker accident in October 1925 also in Niger state killed 30 people while scooping fuel before a tanker exploded.

But Chiedozie who featured on ETV spotlight while llending his voice to its criminalization said the government should also work out a specified template that it should be implemented.

He emphasized the need for individuals to value their values while advocating for better emergency preparedness and highlighting the role of local leadership.

He also called on the national orientation agency to step up awareness creation on road safety guides especially during tanker accidents.

He also emphasizes the need for improved road safety such as
Driving School Reform, such that driving schools do not only teach driving skills but also instill ethics, values, and awareness of shared road usage.

On the way forward, Chiedozie argues that a lack of patriotism among Nigerian citizens, particularly those in policy enforcement roles hinders effective implementation of policies and budgets.

He called for greater patriotism to ensure that individuals fulfill their responsibilities, ultimately aiming to improve quality of life and life expectancy in the country.