Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said that drivers employed by his company are paid more than many Nigerian graduates.
The billionaire said this in a video shared on social media by TVC on Tuesday.
The businessman was addressing allegations by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that he and Sayyu Dantata were engaging in anti-union practices.
NUPENG had also accused him of trying to monopolise Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas distribution sector.
NUPENG kicked against the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas trucks by Dangote Refinery. It threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from September 8.
Dangote allayed fears on loss of jobs, disclosing that that instead, there would be creation of more jobs.
He said the newly launched trucks require about 24,000 people to operate, because each one requires six personnel.
Dangote said drivers in his employ earned almost three to four times the national minimum wage, adding that some make more than graduates.
The businessman said he also had incentives to encourage the drivers to drive safely. According to him, any driver who has driven for five years without an accident would become eligible for housing loans.
Also read: Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote moves 20 places up, now the 63rd richest billionaire in the world
