By Ayomide Otitoju
No fewer than 1,500 Dangote Cement truck drivers have undergone intensive medical and psychological screening to certify their fitness for safe driving, the company has announced.
Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, disclosed this at the 2025 Annual Drivers’ Retreat in Ilaro, Ogun State, where he emphasized the firm’s uncompromising commitment to road safety.
Pathak said the mandatory recruitment and screening process for drivers has been made more rigorous in response to the state of Nigerian roads.
“Every driver employed by Dangote Cement is required to undergo a structured recruitment process that includes a valid Class G driver’s license, background verification of both the driver and guarantors, comprehensive medical evaluation—covering vision screening, blood pressure checks, body mass index, random blood sugar tests, and drug and alcohol testing,” he explained.
According to him, over 1,500 prospective drivers successfully completed the process in the past two months, with only those meeting all standards certified to operate Dangote Group vehicles. He added that drivers are also subjected to mandatory pre-trip medical assessments conducted by licensed nurses and doctors.
Pathak reaffirmed that the company’s focus goes beyond recruitment, stressing that continuous training and retraining remain central to its operations. “As a leading cement manufacturer with thousands of trucks on the road, safety is our top priority. Our responsibility extends not only to our drivers but also to other road users,” he said.
He further noted that Dangote Cement consistently cooperates with the Nigeria Police and other relevant agencies in investigating incidents and implementing recommendations to improve public safety.
The GMD added that drivers undergo additional screening to detect any history of substance use within a three-month window, followed by a two-week intensive training programme consisting of 12 safety modules, practical driving assessments, and written examinations.
“Dangote is a responsible organisation committed to transparency, ethical conduct, and a detailed system designed to mitigate road incidents nationwide,” Pathak stated.
