Dangote: Our CNG Driver Times Minimum Wage, Enjoy Life Insurance and Housing Loan Scheme

Dangote: Our CNG Driver Times Minimum Wage, Enjoy Life Insurance and Housing Loan Scheme

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has assured Nigerians that his conglomerate remains committed to job creation and national industrialization, while dismissing claims that the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks will displace workers in the downstream sector.

Speaking during a media parley at the Dangote Refinery complex on Monday, Dangote emphasised that the company’s operations continue to expand employment opportunities rather than shrink them.

“We are not trying to take anybody out of the market. These trucks that we launched didn’t stop anybody from their work. Our own tankers will not be driven by robots. We are creating many more jobs, not fewer,” he said.

Attractive Benefits for Drivers

Dangote disclosed that the company’s CNG truck drivers earn salaries three times Nigeria’s minimum wage and enjoy a comprehensive welfare package, including life insurance, health insurance covering their spouses and up to four children, and a lifelong pension.

In addition, drivers who maintain a clean safety record for at least five years can apply for housing loans. He noted that joining a trade union remains optional.

Beyond drivers, the scheme is also creating jobs for mechanics, fleet managers, and logistics professionals to support the new fleet.

Refinery Risks and Rewards

Reflecting on the challenges of building Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote admitted that the project came with significant risks.

“The decision to build the refinery was not easy. If it had gone wrong, lenders would have taken all our assets. But we believed in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

Despite skepticism from investors and governments, the refinery is now operational, supplying petrol locally and for export. Between June and early September 2025, over 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were exported, generating foreign exchange earnings.

He said the refinery has already driven down the pump price of petrol from nearly ₦1,100 to ₦841 in parts of the country, with further reductions expected as CNG trucks are fully deployed nationwide.

Push for Industrialisation

Dangote urged Nigeria to prioritise industrialisation and enact policies that protect local industries. Citing the collapse of the textile sector as a cautionary tale, he warned against unchecked importation of cheap goods.

“Other nations were not industrialised by outsiders. We must build and industrialise our own economy. Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty,” he said.

He called on the National Assembly to support the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy through legislation that safeguards local production.

Open to Partnerships

The business mogul reiterated that the refinery remains open to partnerships and collaborations within the downstream sector, insisting that collective effort is the only way to ensure sustainable industry growth.

“My goal is to see Africa prosper. We have the fastest-growing population in the world, and industrialization is the only path to prosperity,” Dangote concluded