The federal government has unveiled plans to harness modern technology in a bid to tackle the rising number of fuel tanker explosions across the country.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, stressed the urgent need to adopt advanced solutions in fire safety, particularly within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“The country cannot afford to lag behind in fire prevention and emergency response, especially in such a high-risk industry,” Tunji-Ojo said. “We need to embrace innovations like smart fire detection, automated suppression systems, and even drones and robotics to manage disasters more efficiently.”

The one-day event, themed “Advancing Fire Safety within the Oil and Gas Sector of Nigeria through Technological Solutions,” brought together key players in the industry, including technology experts and regulators. The minister emphasized that collaboration between government agencies, private sector partners, and regulators is vital to turning the tide on tanker-related accidents.

Backing the minister’s remarks, Dr. Mustapha Lamorde of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority highlighted the human toll of such incidents. According to him, Nigeria witnessed nearly 169 tanker fire outbreaks between 2009 and late 2024, resulting in widespread fatalities and injuries.

He recalled the Suleja disaster in January 2025, where over 100 lives were lost after a petrol tanker exploded while people attempted to scoop fuel. Lamorde said truck-in-transit incidents now account for almost 60% of petroleum-related fire deaths in the downstream sector.

The Interior Ministry reaffirmed its support for policies that promote safer operations in critical sectors, vowing to continue pushing for innovation-driven reforms.

Stakeholders at the forum agreed that without a strong push towards tech-enabled safety systems, Nigeria could face even more devastating losses in the years to come.