Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited has officially started assembling the new generation Peugeot 3008 and 5008 sport utility vehicles at its greenfield manufacturing plant in Kaduna, marking a major expansion of local automotive production in Nigeria.

The announcement was made on April 17, 2026, confirming that the first vehicles are expected to go on sale next month.

The Kaduna facility, which was built four years ago, initially focused on producing the Peugeot Landtrek pick-up. The addition of the two SUV models diversifies the plant’s output and strengthens the brand’s lineup for Nigerian customers. Both the 3008 and 5008 will be offered in Allure and top-of-the-range GT trims, powered by a 1.6-litre THP petrol engine that delivers 163 horsepower, paired with an EAT6 automatic transmission.

DPAN was established six years ago through a joint venture between Dangote Industries Limited and Peugeot, a flagship brand under the global Stellantis group. The partnership represents a long-term commitment to local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imported vehicles.

Michael Whitfield, Stellantis, Managing Director for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, framed the expansion within the context of regional economic development. “Nigeria is one of the two biggest economies in Africa and helping create a local and sustainable automotive industry is part of the actualisation of the African Free Trade Area. We are happy to continue the work with Dangote Industries and believe the arrival of the new products will cater to the needs of our Nigerian customers,” Whitfield said.

DPAN Commercial Director Umar Kaita highlighted the deep historical connection between the Peugeot brand and Nigerian consumers, expressing optimism about the revival. “Peugeot was a household name in Nigeria from the 1940s to the 1980s and this local production will see the re-emergence of the Peugeot Lion in the Nigerian landscape once again,” Kaita stated.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The richest African businessman, Aliko Dangote, has stated why he prefers staying in hotels rather than owning snd maintaining luxury homes abroad.

According to him, he sold his properties in the United States and the United Kingdom to focus fully on building businesses in Nigeria. Besides, he hinted at the hefty responsibilities for keeping such property.

“When I decided to go into the industry, you know what I did? I sold all my properties in the US. I had two houses in the US, big mansions, and I had a house in the UK. I wanted to really sit in Nigeria and concentrate.

“Sometimes when you own a holiday home anywhere, you have to create that time to go and use that property. So now my life is very simple. Wherever I go, I use hotels; I pay. When I leave, nobody will call me and say I have a burst pipe or something is wrong,” he added.

Dangote further highlighted focus, discipline, vision, long-term planning guided by deliberate targets as what has given him success.

“So I’m committed to what I do, and I just don’t do things; I always create a vision. It’s just like now; we created a vision for 2030. So, I know I have a target to meet. I just don’t do business. All my businesses are targeted,” he said.

He is equally deliberate in his decision to change the curve by producing what is lacking or being imported thereby protecting the local economy.

“I first of all look at what we need as a people. What is it that we are supposed to be producing, and what are we importing? So we do what you call backward integration.

“We produce what the people need, and we are now producing things that, when you wake up as a human being every morning, you must use part of what we produce.”

NULGE cites seven months’ arrears as strike disrupts councils statewide amid election preparations

By Felix Umande from Makurdi.

Local government workers across Benue State on Thursday commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries and unresolved welfare issues, disrupting operations in councils statewide.

The industrial action followed a directive issued by the Benue State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees.

In a notice titled “Notification Of Strike Action” dated May 13, 2026, NULGE State President Joshua Adiniya and Secretary Aséneshi Yusuf said the strike was to press the state government to meet outstanding obligations to workers.

According to the union, the government has yet to pay March and April 2026 salaries despite repeated requests. NULGE said the State Executive Council had, at a meeting on April 21, 2026, resolved to demand the unconditional payment of these salaries alongside other longstanding grievances.

The union’s demands includes:

• Unconditional release and implementation of all pending promotions for local government staff.
• Resolution of issues hindering the smooth implementation of BEPCON remittances for Benue LG workers.
• Reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers and payment of all salary arrears.

NULGE said it had served the statutory 14-day notice and a seven-day reminder, but the state government had not responded.

“In view of the above, the union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option. Hence, we resolved that all local government workers should commence a two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective Thursday, May 14, 2026,” the notice read.

Speaking to journalists, NULGE President Joshua Adiniya said the state government currently owes local government workers seven months’ salary arrears. He described the strike as a last resort after months of failed engagement.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Terna Ayu, declined to comment when contacted.

The action marks the first time in nearly three years of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration that local government workers have embarked on a strike. The timing is significant, coming amid preparations for the forthcoming general elections.

The development contrasts with the governor’s Workers’ Day pledge to prioritize the welfare of workers across the state.

Unless resolved, the strike is expected to paralyze services at the local government level for the next two weeks.