Our Truck Drivers Earn More Than Graduates – Dangote Defends Refinery Amid Union Allegations
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has defended his company’s treatment of truck drivers, stating that they are well compensated—often earning more than some university graduates. He made the remarks while addressing journalists on Monday, in response to allegations made by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The union had accused the Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices and reducing job opportunities for its members. Dangote, however, dismissed the claims, asserting that his company not only offers competitive salaries but also provides long-term benefits and financial support for its drivers. “Our drivers earn four times more than some graduates after five years on the job, provided they have few or no accidents,” Dangote said. “They can also apply for housing loans. What they earn monthly is nearly four times the national minimum wage.” He acknowledged that the refinery sometimes faces logistical issues due to a shortage of trucks, which has occasionally forced them to accept substandard vehicles. “Not every truck gets loaded here because some are unsafe,” he noted. “But we have to manage when they bring them, because we don’t have enough of our own.” Addressing concerns about job losses, Dangote reassured that no tanker driver would be left behind. “Any NUPENG driver without a job is welcome to join us,” he said. The ongoing dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group has sparked national attention. However, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the union has disassociated itself from the national leadership’s position, accusing it of spreading falsehoods and attempting to stir unnecessary conflict. In a statement signed by PTD leaders Comrades Lucky Osesua, Dayyabu Garga, and Humble Obinna Power, the group said NUPENG’s leadership was “using malicious and dangerous rhetoric” to incite stakeholders against the Dangote Refinery, describing their allegations as “a tissue of lies.” The Dangote Refinery, one of Africa’s largest private-sector projects, continues to draw attention not only for its economic significance but also for its impact on Nigeria’s labour and energy sectors.