By Mary Onyia
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has reaffirmed his commitment to reducing unemployment in Nigeria, disclosing that drivers of the company’s new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks earn three times the national minimum wage.
Speaking to journalists at the Dangote Refinery complex in Lagos on Monday, he said the drivers also benefit from life and health insurance covering their spouses and up to four children, a lifelong pension, and access to housing loans after five years of accident-free service.
Dangote explained that the rollout of CNG trucks would not displace jobs, but rather create additional opportunities for drivers, mechanics, fleet managers, and other professionals. He emphasised that union membership remains a personal choice, while assuring that the company respects workers’ rights.
Reflecting on the refinery project, he recalled that industry experts and investors had warned against the venture, insisting only sovereign states could embark on such a massive undertaking. “If it had gone wrong, lenders would have taken all our assets, but we believed in Nigeria and Africa,” he said. The refinery, according to him, has already helped cut petrol prices from about N1,100 to N841 in several states, while exporting over 1.1 billion litres of petrol between June and early September 2025.
He stressed the importance of protecting local industries to drive sustainable growth, warning that dependence on imports means “exporting jobs and importing poverty.” Dangote urged the National Assembly to back the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy with legislation, while reiterating his call for Africa-driven industrialisation.
With the introduction of CNG trucks, Dangote said the refinery is now better positioned to deliver products nationwide, boosting efficiency and cutting costs. He added that the company remains open to partnerships across the downstream sector. “Our goal is to industrialise Nigeria and Africa, ensuring prosperity for our people. The refinery is proof that this vision is achievable,” he concluded.