Dangote Cement Screens 1,500 Drivers for Fitness and Safety
By Patience Ikpeme
Dangote Cement Plc has subjected at least 1,500 of its truck drivers to a comprehensive screening to assess their mental, psychological, and physical fitness for safe driving.
The Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, announced the initiative to journalists at the 2025 Annual Drivers Retreat in Ilaro, Ogun state, explaining that the intensive screening is a mandatory measure to address safety concerns on the nation’s roads.
Pathak provided details on the rigorous recruitment process for every driver employed by the company. It includes a valid Class G driver’s license, a background check on both the driver and their guarantors, and an in-depth medical evaluation.
The medical checks involve vision screening, blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI) measurements, random blood sugar (RBS) tests, and drug and alcohol testing. The company also screens for substance use within a three-month detection window before employment. In the last two months alone, over 1,500 prospective drivers have successfully completed this process.
Pathak said the company’s commitment to safety extends beyond recruitment, as all drivers undergo mandatory pre-trip medical assessments by licensed medical professionals.
He also said Dangote Cement is dedicated to the continuous training and retraining of its drivers to ensure safe and smooth driving across the country. As a leading cement manufacturer with a large fleet of trucks, he stated that safety remains the management’s top priority.
“Dangote is a responsible organisation that consistently cooperates with the Nigeria Police and other relevant authorities in the investigation of reported incidents with support of all lawful processes, aimed at establishing the facts and routinely implementing recommendations that strengthen public safety,” Pathak said.
He added that the company understands its responsibility to other road users and is committed to transparency and ethical conduct.
Drivers who meet all the required standards also complete a two-week intensive training program, which consists of twelve safety modules, practical driving assessments, and written examinations. The company said these measures are a part of its comprehensive system and procedures to prevent incidents on the roads.
