1. Birth and Family: Born on April 10, 1957, into a wealthy Hausa Muslim family in Kano, Nigeria. His mother, Mariya Sanusi Dantata, was the daughter of businessman Sanusi Dantata. His father, Mohammed Dangote, was a business associate of Dantata. He is the great-grandson of Alhassan Dantata, who was the richest person in West Africa at the time of his death in 1955.
2. Education: Educated at the Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa and Capital High School in Kano. Graduated from the Government College, Birnin Kudu in 1978. Received a bachelor's degree in business studies and administration from Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Business Career
3. Foundation of Dangote Group: Established the Dangote Group as a small trading firm in 1977. Initially received a ₦500,000 loan from his uncle to begin trading in commodities, including bagged cement, rice, and sugar.
4. Expansion: The Dangote Group is now the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa, with operations in Nigeria and other countries like Benin, Ghana, Zambia, and Togo. The company has diversified from trading to manufacturing, with divisions like Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement, and Dangote Flour.
5. Market Dominance: Dominates the sugar market in Nigeria, being the main supplier to the country's soft drink companies, breweries, and confectioners. The company employs more than 11,000 people in West Africa.
6. Automobile Industry: In February 2022, completed the Peugeot assembling facility in partnership with Stellantis Group and the Kano and Kaduna state governments.
7. Dangote Refinery: On May 22, 2023, Dangote commissioned the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Nigeria. The refinery, situated on a 6,180-acre site at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, plans to export surplus petrol, turning Africa's biggest oil producer into an export hub for petroleum products. It is supplied with crude oil by the largest sub-sea pipeline infrastructure in the world, stretching 1,100 kilometers (680 miles).
Wealth
8. Net Worth: As of May 2024, his net worth is estimated at $15.3 billion, making him the richest person in Africa and the world's richest black person.
9. Milestones: Became Nigeria's first billionaire in 2007 and added $9.2 billion to his personal wealth in 2013, making him the 30th-richest person in the world at the time.
Philanthropy
10. Health Initiatives: Worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on public health issues, donated significant amounts to combat Ebola, support Nigerians affected by Boko Haram, and fight COVID-19.
11. Sports: Supports Nigerian football, having promised financial rewards for the national team during the Africa Cup of Nations and contributed to the renovation of Nigeria's national sports stadium.
Personal Life
12. Residency and Lifestyle: Lives in Lagos, owns two private jets, and has a disciplined daily routine involving 12 hours of work and running 10 miles on a treadmill almost every day.
13. Family: Married Zainab Dangote in 1977, later divorced. Has three daughters named Halima, Mariya, and Fatimah, and an adopted son named Abdulrahman. His daughter Halima is the executive director of commercial operations at his company.
Awards and Recognition
14. Honors: Awarded Nigeria's second-highest honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Named Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2014, and listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in April 2014.
15. Influence: Cited as one of the top 100 most influential Africans multiple times by New African magazine. Received numerous accolades for his contributions to business and society.
Memberships
16. Global Roles: Serves on various international boards and councils, including the Corporate Council on Africa, the UN Secretary-General's Global Education First Initiative, and the Clinton Global Initiative. Founding Chairman of the Nigeria End Malaria Council and a member of the Global End Malaria Council.
These points provide a comprehensive overview of Aliko Dangote's life, career, wealth, philanthropy, and influence.
Comments
Post a Comment