Lafarge Africa Plc has graduated 30 female truck drivers under its Women on Wheels (WoW) training programme in Calabar, Cross River State, further advancing its commitment to gender inclusion and capacity building within Nigeria’s logistics sector.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Lafarge Driving Institute, marked a major milestone in the company’s efforts to diversify the nation’s trucking workforce, which has traditionally been male-dominated. The latest batch brings the total number of women trained through the WoW initiative to 130 since its launch in 2019.
The initiative, designed to address the shortage of qualified drivers and promote road safety, equips female participants with the technical, safety, and professional skills necessary to operate heavy-duty vehicles across Lafarge’s operations in Mfamosing, Ewekoro, and Calabar.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, hailed the programme as a “game-changer” in the Nigerian logistics industry. He praised the resilience of the trainees and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering more women through inclusive employment strategies.
“The success we have recorded so far with this programme speaks volumes. Our graduates are performing excellently across our operations, and we are proud to be setting new standards for gender representation in logistics,” he said.
Nzom Gertrude, who emerged as the best graduating student, shared her excitement and gratitude during the ceremony. “It wasn’t easy. Many thought we wouldn’t make it, but here we are—qualified, confident, and ready to contribute meaningfully,” she said.
Also in attendance was the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, who congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to be role models for other women. Representatives from Integrated Automotive Services Limited (IASL), including Kemi Shobayo, also lauded the initiative and urged the graduates to uphold professionalism and integrity in their new roles.
The Women on Wheels programme provides comprehensive training, including modules on defensive driving, vehicle maintenance, safety protocols, and logistics operations. It is part of Lafarge Africa’s broader commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and community empowerment.
With this latest milestone, Lafarge Africa continues to lead the charge in redefining opportunities for women in Nigeria’s industrial and transportation sectors, encouraging more companies to adopt inclusive policies that drive economic participation and social impact.
