Dangote Defends CNG Truck Rollout, Highlights 24,000 Jobs Created Amid Union Pushback

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s titan of industry, has hit back at critics of his refinery’s compressed natural gas (CNG) truck initiative, spotlighting its role as a job-creation engine amid union concerns. Speaking at a Lagos business summit on September 15, 2025, Dangote announced that his fleet, including 4,000 CNG trucks and 1,000 newly deployed fuel distribution vehicles, has generated 24,000 high-wage jobs, with drivers earning four times Nigeria’s minimum wage alongside training and health benefits.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) sparked controversy last week, claiming the CNG shift threatens traditional truckers’ livelihoods and risks monopolizing logistics. Dangote countered, “Our trucks—both CNG and fuel—aren’t replacing jobs; they’re multiplying them. From mechanics to dispatchers, we’re building a skilled workforce.” The 1,000 fuel trucks, rolled out with 70% local components, complement the CNG fleet’s GPS-enabled efficiency, slashing logistics costs by 40% and supporting Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.

Entrepreneurs can seize this moment: Dangote’s $500 million training fund opens doors for SMEs in CNG conversions and telematics apps, potentially adding $2 billion to Nigeria’s transport sector by 2026. As he stated, “This is about empowering communities, not controlling markets.”

Dangote’s dual rollout showcases private enterprise’s power to drive inclusive growth. In a region grappling with 20% youth unemployment, these trucks prove that innovation fuels jobs, steering Nigeria toward a vibrant, sustainable economic future.