Enforcing its zero-tolerance stance on auto crashes, the Dangote Articulated Trucks Drivers Training School (DATDTS), in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has introduced stricter entry requirements for aspiring drivers.
The move comes as Dangote Cement Plc begins the recertification and screening of all its truck drivers at the company’s Obajana Plant in Kogi State.
Speaking to newsmen, the Head of Transport at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, said the initiative is part of the company’s broader efforts to promote safe driving and achieve zero road crashes. He disclosed that thousands of the company’s CNG trucks are now being fitted with cameras, while applicants must meet tougher criteria before employment.
According to Silva, aspiring drivers must:
- Be at least 23 years old
- Possess a minimum of five years’ relevant driving experience
- Hold a valid Class G driver’s license
- Pass thorough medical evaluations and drug testing
- Maintain a clean criminal record with no pending legal cases
He added that Dangote Cement has a formal Drivers’ Employment Policy under the DATDTS, which sets these mandatory conditions.
Silva explained that FRSC regularly conducts certification and recertification training at the DATDTS Complex. He further highlighted that the company’s Health, Safety and Environment Department ensures strict compliance with safety standards, including alcohol and drug testing, blood pressure checks, and fitness assessments before any trip is undertaken.
He revealed that in 2025 alone:
- Participation in monthly driver training increased by 60%
- Drug and alcohol testing rose by 40%
- Pre-trip inspections recorded an impressive 74% increase
Also speaking, the Divisional Head of Transport at DCP Obajana, Mr. Hemant Rana, disclosed that the company has built a multi-million-naira Pre-Trip Inspection Bay, staffed with engineers and mechanics to thoroughly inspect trucks before departure. He added that a Drivers’ Rest House has also been established to allow drivers rest between trips.
“We have developed a driver monitoring system that helps them do their jobs safely,” Rana said. “There are Drivers’ Help Desk Units that follow up with drivers while on trips, and a Control Department that tracks behaviour to ensure compliance.”
The Manager of the Dangote Articulated Truck Drivers Training School, Mr. Daniel Marcus Akuso, described the school as the first of its kind in Nigeria. According to him, it offers courses such as Civic Education, English, Mathematics, Defensive Driving, Truck Handling, Maintenance Technology, Root Cause Analysis, Health and Science, and Road Signs and Codes, all delivered in partnership with the FRSC.
Earlier in Lagos, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, revealed that over 1,500 truck drivers have undergone intensive screening to assess their mental, psychological, and physical fitness for safe driving.
He explained that every Dangote driver must pass a rigorous recruitment process, which includes background checks on both drivers and guarantors, vision and health screenings, BMI (Body Mass Index) checks, RBS (Random Blood Sugar) tests, and compulsory drug and alcohol testing.
According to him, the intensified measures reflect Dangote Cement’s commitment to ensuring safety on Nigerian roads while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in its transport operations.
