The Lagos State Government has prohibited the use of petroleum tankers in the transportation and distribution of edible oil as part of new efforts to strengthen food safety standards and protect consumers from contamination risks.
The restriction forms part of a wider regulatory framework introduced through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency and major stakeholders within the edible oil transportation and distribution sector.
The agreement involves the Marketers and Sellers of Edible Oil Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, and the Association of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers of Nigeria under the National Union of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the new policy seeks to eliminate the practice of using tankers previously deployed for transporting fuel and hazardous substances to move edible oil products intended for human consumption.
Regulators warned that residual chemical substances left inside petroleum tankers pose serious contamination and health risks when reused for food transportation without proper safety controls and certification processes.
Under the new compliance framework, only certified food-grade tankers will be approved for transporting edible oil across Lagos, while operators will also be subjected to stricter monitoring procedures, inspections, and hygiene regulations.
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency stated that the initiative will include tanker registration systems, identification procedures, random compliance checks, laboratory testing of edible oil samples, and coordinated enforcement operations involving sector stakeholders.
Authorities also disclosed plans to intensify investigations into consumer complaints and strengthen enforcement actions under the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law 2025 to ensure full compliance within the edible oil supply chain.
Industry observers say the move reflects growing regulatory attention on food quality and consumer protection following repeated concerns over unsafe edible oil products and substandard production practices within parts of the Nigerian market.
The latest action also aligns with broader efforts by regulatory agencies to improve traceability, strengthen quality assurance systems, and restore public confidence in food safety standards across Nigeria’s edible oil industry.
