Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that truck drivers employed by the Dangote Group earn salaries significantly higher than many Nigerian graduates, claiming they make almost four times the national minimum wage.
Speaking on Arise Television on Tuesday, Dangote dismissed concerns that the company’s new truck fleet would result in job losses, insisting instead that it would create thousands of opportunities.
“The trucks we launched didn’t stop anyone from their work. People say there will be a loss of jobs. Will our tankers be driven by robots?” Dangote said.
According to him, each truck requires about six people to operate, meaning the new fleet could generate up to 24,000 jobs.
He stressed that Dangote Group’s compensation packages are far above industry standards:
“Our salary is almost three or four times their own. After five years of accident-free service, a driver can apply and get a house loan. Our drivers earn more than graduates. If you look at what they earn in a month, it’s almost four times the national minimum wage.”
Dangote also argued that membership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) should remain voluntary, noting that the company’s welfare structure already guarantees stability for its employees.
The remarks have sparked wide debate across social and professional circles, with many Nigerians highlighting the disparity between white-collar jobs and blue-collar roles in Africa’s largest economy.
