Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The House of Representatives is considering a bill that would require all truck drivers in Nigeria to undergo mandatory drug tests at least once every six months, in a legislative move aimed at curbing the rising tide of tanker and trailer accidents that have claimed thousands of lives across the country. The bill, sponsored by Peter Uzokwe, the lawmaker representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in Anambra State, is currently awaiting second and third readings, according to the legislator.
Uzokwe disclosed the proposal on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, during an interactive session of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) with key stakeholders in the downstream oil sector. The meeting brought together representatives of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). Speaking at the session, Uzokwe said substance abuse remains a major contributor to road crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles.
"It is in my bill, coming up for second and third reading, that all truck drivers should be tested for drugs at least once every six months," Uzokwe told the gathering. He argued that drug addiction among drivers poses a serious threat to road safety, often impairing judgment and reaction times behind the wheel. "You can train a driver who is a drug addict. He may drive well, but once the substance takes control, he will no longer drive the way he was trained," he said. He pointed to the frequency of trailer and tanker accidents across Nigeria as evidence of the urgent need for intervention, stating: "You can see the trailer and tanker accidents we are having. These are things that can be prevented if drivers are in their right senses".
The proposed legislation comes amid growing public alarm over the devastating toll of tanker explosions and truck crashes on Nigerian roads. Between January 2009 and October 2024, at least 169 fuel tanker accidents led to 1,613 deaths across the country, according to research cited in multiple reports. In September 2024 alone, 61 people were killed in a tanker explosion in Niger State, while 150 fatalities were recorded in a similar incident in Jigawa State in October 2024. The year 2019 recorded the highest number of accident cases and deaths, with 29 incidents and 203 fatalities.
Stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector have long called for mandatory drug screening for commercial drivers. In July 2026, a civil society organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), advocated mandatory and periodic drug screening for commercial drivers, particularly those operating buses and heavy-duty vehicles, recommending that the tests be conducted every six months as a prerequisite for the issuance or renewal of drivers' licences. The group argued that the policy would significantly improve road safety by reducing accidents linked to drug and substance abuse among drivers.
The push for drug testing has also gained traction within the maritime sector. In April 2026, APM Terminals Apapa and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) began testing external truck drivers for drugs and alcohol at the entrance of the Apapa port, after finding three truck drivers operating under the influence of alcohol following breathalyser tests on 30 drivers. The initiative was part of broader efforts to promote safer and more compliant operations across the port ecosystem. The General Secretary of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Mohammed Sani, has also expressed concern over the rising number of crashes involving cargo trucks, highlighting substance abuse, particularly alcohol and drugs, among drivers as a serious issue requiring urgent intervention from both government and union leadership.
The bill under consideration by the House of Representatives would, if passed, represent one of the most comprehensive legislative interventions yet in Nigeria's efforts to tackle drug abuse among commercial drivers. Unlike the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was recently passed by the Senate and increases penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the Uzokwe-sponsored bill would mandate proactive, periodic testing rather than relying solely on post-incident enforcement. The Senate-passed bill raises the penalty for driving under the influence from N5,000 to N100,000, with offenders also facing up to two years' imprisonment or both.
However, the implementation of mandatory drug testing for truck drivers would face significant logistical and cost challenges. Nigeria has a vast and largely informal commercial transport sector, with thousands of truck drivers operating across the country's road network. Establishing a framework for regular testing would require the deployment of testing facilities at motor parks, border posts, and major transport hubs, as well as the training of personnel to conduct the tests. The cost of the tests themselves could also be a burden on drivers, many of whom operate on thin margins. Questions have also been raised about the capacity of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other agencies to effectively enforce such a mandate given their existing resource constraints.
Despite these challenges, the bill has garnered support from key stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector, who are acutely aware of the human and economic costs of tanker accidents. The interactive session with DAPPMAN, MEMAN, and IPMAN provided a platform for the lawmakers and industry players to discuss the practicalities of implementing the proposed legislation. The stakeholders are expected to provide input on how the bill can be operationalised to minimise disruption to the transport and logistics sector while maximising its safety benefits.
The bill's sponsor, Peter Uzokwe, has made it clear that he views the proposal as a life-saving measure rather than a punitive one. By framing the issue in terms of prevention and public safety, he is seeking to build consensus around a policy that has the potential to significantly reduce the number of road crashes caused by impaired drivers. "These are things that can be prevented if drivers are in their right senses," he said, underscoring the fundamental premise of the legislation.
As the bill moves toward second and third readings in the House of Representatives, it will be subjected to further scrutiny and debate. Lawmakers will need to weigh the potential benefits of mandatory drug testing against the practical challenges of implementation. They will also need to consider the views of transport unions, drivers' associations, and other stakeholders who may have concerns about the cost, feasibility, and fairness of the proposed measure. If passed and signed into law, the bill would mark a significant step forward in Nigeria's efforts to address the scourge of drug abuse on the nation's roads, potentially saving hundreds of lives each year.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments