President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that the company’s truck drivers earn nearly four times the Nigerian national minimum wage, adding that their salaries often exceed those of university graduates.
Dangote made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interview with Arise Television, in response to concerns raised by stakeholders over the company’s recent launch of new trucks and its relationship with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Speaking on allegations that Dangote Group’s new transport initiative could lead to job losses, the billionaire industrialist dismissed the claims, stating:
“The trucks we launched didn’t stop anyone from their work. We hear there will be a loss of jobs. Will our tankers be driven by robots?”
He explained that each truck provides direct employment for at least six individuals, and with the scale of the operation, the initiative could create up to 24,000 jobs.
Dangote also addressed union-related concerns, stating that joining NUPENG should remain voluntary and not imposed on drivers.
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Highlighting the benefits offered to Dangote truck drivers, he said:
“Our salary is almost three or four times their own. After five years accident-free, a driver can apply and get a house loan.”
He added that the company’s drivers enjoy structured incentives, and many of them take home earnings significantly higher than entry-level university graduates.
“Our drivers earn more than graduates. If you look at what they earn in a month, it’s almost four times the national minimum wage,” he said.
