Dangote deploys AI-driven monitoring to track truck drivers, prevent accidents

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Dangote Transport has strengthened its road safety measures with the deployment of a real-time Driver Monitoring Control Room designed to track driver behaviour and respond promptly to potential safety risks across its nationwide fleet.

The facility, located at the company’s operational base in Ibese, Ogun State, enables transport managers to monitor trucks while they are on the road, receive alerts on risky driving behaviour and intervene where necessary to prevent incidents.

The initiative forms part of Dangote Transport’s broader strategy to leverage technology, driver training and stricter operational procedures to reduce road crashes, improve fleet efficiency and protect drivers and other road users.

Speaking during a recent tour of the facility by journalists, Head of Operations, Dangote Transport, Ibese, David Idiege, described the control room as one of the company’s latest investments in strengthening fleet safety.

He said the company was continuously exploring innovative ways to improve safety across its transportation operations.

“We are constantly looking for innovative ways to strengthen safety across our transport operations. The Driver Monitoring Control Room represents another significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that all journeys are conducted safely and responsibly.”

According to Idiege, safety remains a central consideration in the management of Dangote’s large fleet of trucks operating across the country.

“Safety remains our highest priority. We recognise the responsibility that comes with operating a large fleet of vehicles across the country. That is why we continue to invest heavily in technology, systems and training that help us maintain the highest safety standards.”

Idiege explained that the monitoring system was only one component of the company’s broader road safety architecture.

He said Dangote Transport had introduced measures including speed limiters, vehicle immobilisers, speed booster control systems, facial recognition devices, journey management protocols, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, compulsory rest periods, periodic driver recertification and regular training.

He stressed that the company adopts a holistic approach that combines technology with human capacity development and strict operational procedures.

“Our approach is holistic. Technology alone is not enough. We combine technology with strict operational procedures, driver welfare programmes, competency assessments, recertification exercises and continuous capacity building to ensure that our drivers remain professional and safety-conscious at all times.”

The company also places particular emphasis on managing driver fatigue, which Idiege identified as a major road safety concern.

He said mandatory rest periods and journey management procedures were designed to ensure that drivers remained sufficiently alert throughout their trips.

“We do not encourage driver fatigue. Every driver is required to comply with our journey management procedures and mandatory rest schedules. We understand that alert and healthy drivers make safer decisions on the road.”

Also speaking during the facility tour, Head of Transport Control, Ifeanyi Ezeala, said on-board camera systems had been installed across thousands of Dangote trucks with the support of technology partner Nova Tracks.

He explained that the cameras provide transport managers with live visibility into truck operations and generate alerts when potentially dangerous driving behaviour is detected.

The information enables the control room to contact drivers and take corrective action before risky situations escalate into road incidents.

Ezeala stressed that the monitoring system was designed primarily as a preventive safety tool rather than a punitive mechanism.

“The technology allows us to monitor driver activities while journeys are in progress. The cameras provide live feeds and alerts, helping us detect behaviours that could compromise safety and enabling us to take immediate corrective action.”

He added that real-time monitoring was also helping to improve fleet management by providing operational data that could support better decision-making.

“Our objective is preventive rather than punitive. We want to identify potential risks before they develop into incidents. By having visibility into operations in real time, we can contact drivers where necessary, provide guidance and support safer driving decisions.”

According to him, the increasing application of technology in transportation is changing the way fleet safety is managed, providing operators with tools to identify risks earlier and respond more effectively.

“The transportation industry is evolving rapidly, and technology now plays a critical role in fleet safety management. By integrating advanced monitoring systems into our operations, we are creating a safer environment for our drivers and for all road users.”

The Driver Monitoring Control Room represents the latest phase of Dangote Transport’s investment in technology, driver welfare and operational controls aimed at reducing accident risks and improving professional standards across its nationwide trucking operations.

He further stated that beyond monitoring vehicles after they have commenced their journeys, the system is intended to complement existing measures covering driver recruitment, training, medical and competency assessments, fatigue management and vehicle control.

Maintained that for a company operating a large commercial fleet on Nigeria’s often challenging highways, the emphasis is increasingly shifting from responding to road incidents to identifying and managing risks before they result in crashes.