Dangote Cement Screens 1,500 Drivers in Nationwide Safety, Health and Competence Exercise

Dangote Cement Plc has screened no fewer than 1,500 of its truck drivers in a comprehensive exercise designed to evaluate their mental, psychological and physical fitness for safe driving across Nigeria’s highways.

Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, disclosed this during his presentation at the 2025 Annual Drivers’ Retreat held in Ilaro, Ogun State.

According to him, the initiative underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to road safety, noting that the screening process already a mandatory part of driver recruitment was intensified in response to evolving challenges on the nation’s roads.

“Every driver employed by Dangote Cement undergoes a rigorously structured recruitment and screening process,” Pathak explained. “This includes possession of a valid Class G driver’s licence, verification of guarantors, comprehensive medical assessments such as vision and blood pressure tests, BMI evaluation, random blood sugar checks, as well as drug and alcohol testing.”

He revealed that in just the last two months, over 1,500 prospective drivers successfully completed the process, with only those who met all required standards certified to operate Dangote’s fleet. In addition, all drivers are subjected to pre-trip medical checks by licensed nurses and doctors.

Beyond recruitment, Pathak stressed the company’s sustained investment in driver training and retraining. New drivers, he said, must complete a two-week intensive programme covering 12 safety modules, practical driving assessments, and written examinations. Screening also extends to detecting any substance use within a three-month window to ensure only fit and responsible drivers are deployed.

“As one of Nigeria’s largest road users with thousands of trucks in our fleet, safety remains a management priority,” he stated. “Our responsibility extends not only to our drivers, but also to other road users and the communities in which we operate. We consistently collaborate with the Nigeria Police and other relevant authorities, fully supporting lawful investigations and implementing recommendations that strengthen public safety.”

Pathak reaffirmed Dangote Cement’s dedication to upholding transparency, ethical conduct, and robust systems designed to minimize road incidents nationwide.