1,500 Dangote cement drivers screened for road safety compliance

No fewer than 1,500 Dangote Cement truck drivers have undergone intensive mental, psychological, and physical fitness screening to ensure safe operations on Nigerian roads, the company has disclosed.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Drivers Retreat in Ilaro, Ogun State, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, said the exercise was part of the company’s commitment to reducing road accidents and safeguarding lives.

He explained that the screening process was mandatory for all drivers and had recently been intensified in response to growing safety concerns on Nigerian highways.

“Every driver employed by Dangote Cement must go through a rigorous recruitment process,” Pathak said. “This includes background verification, valid Class G driver’s licence, comprehensive medical checks such as vision screening, blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar tests, and drug and alcohol testing. In the past two months alone, over 1,500 prospective drivers have successfully completed this process.”

According to him, only candidates who meet the required standards are certified to operate Dangote trucks. Beyond recruitment, the company also mandates pre-trip medical assessments conducted by licensed medical professionals.

Pathak stressed that the training and retraining of drivers remain a top priority for the cement giant, noting that Dangote Cement’s vast fleet places additional responsibility on the company to ensure safety for its drivers and other road users.

“Dangote is a responsible organisation that works closely with the Nigeria Police and relevant authorities during investigations of road incidents,” he said. “We are committed to implementing recommendations that strengthen public safety.”

The GMD further disclosed that new drivers undergo a two-week intensive training programme covering 12 safety modules, practical driving assessments, and written examinations, in addition to substance-use screening within a three-month detection window.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency, ethical conduct, and the continuous improvement of safety systems to reduce road mishaps across the country.