Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, has disclosed that the conglomerate acquired a total of 10,000 trucks, comprising 4,000 CNG fuel tankers and 6,000 dry cargo trucks for transporting coal and other solid commodities across its operations.
Dangote made this known during a session captured by Channels Television on Tuesday, while responding to ongoing disputes with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over the company’s trucking activities.
He explained that the trucks are part of an effort to modernise logistics, improve efficiency, and counter NUPENG’s claims that the company’s expansion could lead to job losses.
According to Dangote, 4,000 of the dry cargo trucks have already arrived, while the remaining trucks are expected to be delivered by the end of October, with daily arrivals from shipments continuing until the full fleet is on the road.
“Gentlemen of the press, our company not only buy 4,000 CNG trucks. We bought 10,000: 4,000 tankers, 6,000 dry cargo. Because there are some that carry our coal, some that carry other things. We have them in various places. What we are trying to do is modernize this,” Dangote stated.
He added, “Now, we have already launched almost 4,000. And before the end of the year, the remaining 2,000 will arrive. Because even today, we have a ship that brought about 200. Every day, they will be arriving. By the end of October, all 4,000 tankers will be there. But by the end of November, we’ll have a total on the road of 10,250.”
Responding to NUPENG’s concerns that the truck acquisition could lead to job losses, Dangote explained that each truck requires about six workers, which means the 4,000 CNG tankers alone would create roughly 24,000 jobs across driving, maintenance, and logistics.
The additional trucks, he emphasised, were intended to fill gaps in supply rather than edge out competitors, as the company itself faces shortages of reliable vehicles.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest with a 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, officially began direct petrol (PMS) supply to 11 states on September 15, 2025.
Days after the strike was suspended, NUPENG alleged that Dangote Refinery drivers were instructed to remove union stickers and forcefully load the facility, while Dangote officials reportedly used helicopters and summoned the Navy to intimidate union leaders.
In response, NUPENG placed members on red alert and called on the Federal Government and labour groups to safeguard workers’ rights, stressing that corporate influence does not place anyone above the law.