Dangote cement steps up driver safety standards across Africa

Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s leading cement conglomerate, has intensified its commitment to road safety by strengthening measures to improve drivers’ safety awareness, competence and compliance with best practices across its African operations.

Speaking at the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat at the company’s Obajana Plant in Kogi State, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Arvind Pathak, said drivers must “Think Safety, Act Safely” across its operations in Africa.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to the safety and welfare of its drivers, urging them to prioritise safe driving practices and ensure they return home safely after every journey.

According to him, Dangote Cement, the largest cement producer in Nigeria and Africa, places a premium on product quality, while its drivers play a crucial role in ensuring that products reach customers safely and efficiently.

Pathak stressed that no business delivery was worth the loss of human life, describing drivers’ safety as more important than operational targets and commercial considerations.

The retreat, themed “Think Safety, Act Safely,” brought together drivers, transport personnel and management representatives to promote responsible driving, address welfare concerns and strengthen the company’s safety culture across its logistics operations.

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Addressing the participants, Pathak reminded the drivers that they represented the Dangote brand on highways across the country and had a responsibility to protect their lives and those of other road users.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, you are carrying more than a product. You are carrying the reputation of this company, the trust of other road users and, most importantly, your own life. We can replace a truck; we cannot replace a human being,” he said.

He assured the drivers that the company would continue to invest in initiatives aimed at improving their welfare, developing their professional capacity and promoting safer transportation operations.

According to him, drivers remain indispensable to the company’s growth and distribution network, making their safety and well-being a priority.

“We appreciate the sacrifices you make every day to keep our business moving. That is why we are committed not only to providing you with the tools and training to work safely, but also to listening to your concerns and improving your welfare. When our drivers are safe, our operations are stronger and our communities are safer,” Pathak stated.

He urged the drivers to avoid speeding, fatigue and other dangerous driving practices, emphasising that professional competence should be measured by safe arrival rather than the speed at which a journey is completed.

The Dangote Cement chief executive advised drivers to take breaks whenever they felt tired and avoid taking unnecessary risks on the road.

“I want every driver to remember one simple principle: if you are tired, stop and rest. If a situation looks unsafe, do not take chances. The goal is not just to reach your destination; the goal is to return home safely to your family,” he added.

Dangote Cement’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, cautioned the drivers against reckless driving, proxy driving and other unsafe transportation practices, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Silva urged the drivers to take personal responsibility for their actions and contribute to making Nigerian roads safer for motorists and other road users.

Ebere Okonkwo, Group Head of Transport, Health, Safety and Environment, Pan Africa Nigeria, said the retreat was necessary to improve drivers’ safety and prevent accidents that could result in disciplinary action, including dismissal.

She noted that the retreat would encourage drivers to be more careful, adding that management monitored their movements wherever they travelled.

The retreat also provided an opportunity for drivers to interact with management and discuss issues affecting their welfare and working conditions.

Among the concerns raised during the interactive session were the rising cost of living, work-related expenses and the need for timely communication of drug test results.

Several drivers who spoke at the event commended the company’s continued investment in their welfare, saying the retreat demonstrated management’s concern for their lives beyond their operational responsibilities.

They pledged to maintain high safety standards, treat the trucks entrusted to them as valuable business assets and avoid practices that could endanger human lives.

As part of the programme, Dangote Cement recognised outstanding personnel for their performance and commitment to safety.

Awards were presented to 10 outstanding drivers, with Ismaila Suleiman named the best-performing driver in the year under review.