Dangote Industries Limited has warned truck operators against unauthorized use of its logo on vehicles unconnected to the company, saying that those doing so risks a legal course of action.
The company said it was worried that some independent truck drivers still branded their vehicles with the Dangote logo, even after previous warnings. It said such behavior tends to mislead the public, especially in cases involving truck accidents or illegal acts, thereby casting aspersions on the group.
According to the company, “Dangote has an official fleet of trucks in an optimal structure with operational and monitoring controls.” The company disclosed that although it has over 12,000 trucks in operation across Nigeria, a significant majority is owned by licensed third parties or contractors, who must comply strictly with brand-use rules.
According to the group, it will be ramping up surveillance with security agencies to catch and penalize offenders. Besides, the Group appealed to the public and media to check their facts before linking any road accident to its trucks, as inaccuracies could effectively damage its corporate reputation.
Dangote said, “since the group is a major industrial player and one of Africa’s notables with respect to staff members and logistics, it is important to protect our brand identity.” He added that the group’s logistics operations are responsible for the direct and indirect employment of over 36,000 jobs, making accountability and reputation critical to future growth.
Dangote has set a precedent with this warning, ensuring that misuse of its logo will no longer be tolerated and that the law will be enforced against defaulters.