NANS, NAPS Demand Justice, Safety Reforms Over Dangote Truck Tragedies

Leaderships of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have demanded justice and structural reforms from the Dangote Group following recurring road tragedies involving the company’s cement trucks in student communities across Nigeria.

A meeting held at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos had students’ representatives presenting a comprehensive position paper to the company’s management.

The document detailed numerous cases of students killed or maimed by Dangote trucks, including Ruth Obadon Otabor of Auchi Polytechnic, Elizabeth Obi, a final-year student, and Precious Olurotimi of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

According to the NAPS president, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, the engagement was not just a protest, but a structured demand for accountability, restitution and preventive action. He called on Dangote Cement Plc to immediately assume full responsibility for victims’ treatment, compensation and long-term livelihood support.

“This is not about blame, it’s about justice and reform. Students are not disposable,” he said.

The students’ bodies’ demands included advanced medical evacuation for the severely injured, automatic employment for victims rendered disabled, permanent housing provision and the establishment of a national panel of enquiry to audit all incidents involving Dangote trucks. They also demanded sweeping reforms to the company’s road safety policies, including lower speed limits around schools, designated truck lanes and deployment of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) units in student areas.

Dangote Group’s director of insurance, Mr. Obashola Alo, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and detailed ongoing medical support for Ruth Obadon Otabor who had been airlifted from Edo to Lagos for advanced treatment. He admitted that the company was unaware of Elizabeth Obi’s case until recently and assured immediate intervention upon receipt of her family’s contact details.

The vice president of Dangote Industries Ltd. Mr DVG Edwin who led the company’s delegation, disclosed new safety initiatives such as the recertification of all truck drivers and installation of surveillance cameras on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks. He also welcomed the students’ suggestion to deploy two certified drivers and a motor boy per truck, promising to escalate the proposal for executive review.

While clarifying that not all trucks bearing Dangote’s logo are owned by the company as some are operated by third-party contractors, the vice president assured the students that all incidents would be thoroughly investigated. “Lives matter more than cost. This dialogue must continue,” he said.

The students also proposed a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative — the NAPS National E-Library Project — to reposition Dangote Cement Plc as a partner in education. The project, they said, would give back to the student community and symbolise a commitment to national development, in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The meeting ended on a note of cautious optimism, with both parties agreeing to maintain open dialogue and follow through on promises made. Former NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babtee, and former NAPS President, Comrade Pilot Adeyeye Olugbenga, delivered closing remarks, urging the Dangote Group to match words with action. “Our duty is clear,” said Comrade Oghayan, “We will not rest until every victim is honoured and every wrong made right.”