The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in collaboration with The Welding Federation (TWF), has launched the Competent Person Programme for Road Tanker Inspection in Nigeria, aimed at strengthening professional competence, regulatory compliance and safety in the petroleum transportation sector.
The two-day training programme, held on September 10 and 11, 2026, at the Ogba Laboratory Complex, Lagos, focused on NIS 529:2026 – Specification for Bulk Road Vehicles.
The training covered critical areas including tanker design, welding, inspection, structural integrity, maintenance, non-destructive testing and regulatory compliance.
Representing the Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, the Director, National Quality Institute, Engr. Dr. Shehu Ibrahim Maik, underscored the importance of the initiative in developing technical capacity and enhancing safety standards within the petroleum transportation industry.
President of TWF, Dr. Hamed Ahmed Abde-Aleem Ali, said tanker integrity was fundamental to public safety, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among regulators, manufacturers, owners, operators and inspectors to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
According to him, effective inspection and maintenance of road tankers are essential to reducing safety risks associated with the transportation of petroleum products.
The Competent Person Programme is designed to equip professional inspectors with the knowledge and technical skills required to assess road tanker integrity, identify critical defects and make informed safety decisions.
The programme is also part of broader efforts to strengthen tanker inspection systems and promote compliance with applicable Nigerian and international standards.
SON and TWF said the initiative would contribute to safer petroleum transportation by improving inspection competence and ensuring that road tankers meet prescribed safety and technical requirements.
