Meet Juliana Terzungwe, Female Truck Driver Defying The Odds At Dangote
Yinka Olajoyetan, Lagos
In an industry historically led by men, Juliana Terzungwe Iorzaa is paving the way for women in Nigeria’s logistics and petroleum distribution sector.
Juliana Terzungwe, a female Truck Driver with Dangote Oil
At the age of 28, the driver from Benue has emerged as an emblem of determination, expertise, and advancement.
In 2025, she gained recognition as one of the new petroleum truck drivers assigned by Dangote Oil.
Juliana, originally from Odukpani and now living in Calabar, Rivers State, embodies a tale of bravery and perseverance. Having graduated from the Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture in Yandev in 2021, she courageously chose to pursue an unconventional route.
Rather than waiting for a position in a corporate setting, she decided to pursue a career as a professional truck driver, a choice that ultimately transformed her career path and served as motivation for others.
To meet the qualifications for the position, Juliana enrolled at the Lafarge Driving Institute in Calabar. There, she underwent comprehensive training in advanced driving methods and safety standards for heavy-duty vehicles. Her dedication and discipline quickly distinguished her from her fellow trainees. As a result, in May 2024, she was hired by MDS Logistics as the company’s first female truck driver. Later, she was promoted to the role of Delivery Officer in Aba.
On October 5, 2025, her career achieved an important milestone when Dangote Oil, the downstream division of the Dangote Group, officially allocated a petroleum truck to her as a part of its national fuel distribution network.
