Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s leading cement producer, has reaffirmed its commitment to road safety across Nigeria with the launch of an extensive nationwide training and retraining program for its fleet drivers. The initiative, announced on Saturday, is part of the company’s broader corporate social responsibility strategy aimed at curbing road accidents, enhancing professionalism among truck operators, and safeguarding lives and property on Nigerian highways.
According to a statement from the company, the training program will cover all categories of Dangote drivers, including cement truck operators, bulk carriers, and support vehicle drivers. The exercise will feature practical driving tests, safety drills, and refresher courses on best practices in road usage, emergency handling, and compliance with traffic regulations.
Dangote Cement explained that this move was prompted by the increasing number of road mishaps in Nigeria, some of which have involved heavy-duty trucks. The company emphasized that while not all accidents are linked to its vehicles, it recognizes its responsibility as the largest trucking fleet operator in the country to lead by example in promoting safety.
“Our drivers are at the core of our operations, and the safety of every road user is a priority to us. This training program demonstrates our determination to uphold the highest standards of road safety, while also empowering our drivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate responsibly,” the company’s management stated.
The initiative will be rolled out in phases across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with accredited driving schools and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) partnering in the project. Training modules include defensive driving techniques, alcohol and drug awareness, fatigue management, vehicle inspection protocols, and real-time monitoring of truck movements using modern technology.
Industry analysts have hailed the move as timely, noting that Dangote Cement operates one of the largest truck fleets in Africa, with thousands of vehicles traversing Nigerian roads daily. By institutionalizing regular training and retraining exercises, the company is expected to not only reduce accidents involving its trucks but also contribute to raising general road safety awareness nationwide.
Road safety experts also stressed that the program will boost public confidence and could set a precedent for other corporate organizations to adopt similar strategies. They added that such efforts would help in supporting government initiatives aimed at reducing Nigeria’s high rate of road crashes, which the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates claim over 35,000 lives annually.
The company concluded that this driver training and retraining initiative will be sustained as a continuous program, ensuring that both new and existing drivers are regularly assessed, certified, and reminded of their responsibility to safeguard lives and property while on duty.
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