NOA Blames Poor Leadership, Eroding Values for Repeated Fuel Tanker Deaths!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has attributed the recurring deaths from fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria to a breakdown in leadership and societal values.

What We Know:

• Issa-Onilu spoke during a policy dialogue following the recent tanker explosion in Essa, Niger State, which claimed over 18 lives.
• He decried the continued trend of residents rushing to scoop fuel from fallen tankers, often ignoring the deadly risks.
• The NOA boss blamed weak enforcement of safety laws, poor emergency response systems, and “the failure of leadership at multiple levels.”

Quote:

“Our people now see danger and run toward it, not from it. This is not bravery—it is failure of leadership and moral decay,”
— Lanre Issa-Onilu, NOA DG

Why It Matters:

• Such tragedies are preventable yet happen frequently due to poor safety awareness and desperation among citizens.
• NOA’s remarks highlight the broader need for value reorientation, civic education, and stronger enforcement of public safety standards. The agency’s criticism may pressure both federal and state governments to improve infrastructure, safety enforcement, and public enlightenment.

What to Watch:

• NOA’s rollout of nationwide public awareness campaigns on fuel tanker hazards.
• Government action on stricter transport safety regulations and penalties for unsafe fuel haulage.
• Community-level partnerships to discourage dangerous fuel scavenging practices.

Sources:

1. The Guardian – “NOA DG Blames Poor Leadership for Tanker Explosion Deaths”
2. Vanguard – “Scoop Fuel, Die Young: NOA Decries Dangerous Trend”
3. NOA Official X Handle – October 24, 2025

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