Dangote: I want to be Africa’s biggest philanthropist

Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote group, says he does not want to be known only as Africa’s richest man, but also as the continent’s most generous philanthropist.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at a meeting of Nigeria’s business leaders and philanthropists with Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations (UN) secretary-general, Dangote also said Nigeria’s growth needs to be inclusive.

“I set up Dangote foundation in 1994 based on a simple premise; to whom much is given, much is required. That has meant for me, looking at the poor among us, and being compelled to bring some relief,” he said.

“I don’t only want to be known as the richest person in Africa, but the biggest philanthropist.

“I want to use my resources and my voice to help shape a better Nigeria, and I call on fellow business men and women that are here with us, to work in their own ways to join me in this trajectory.”

Dangote stated that Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of over $500 billion, and until the recent slowdown from the drop in oil prices, it had been growing at over 6% annually.

“Unfortunately, the growth has not been inclusive. Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world that experience rapid economic growth without any improvement in poverty levels,” he said.

“More than 60% of the population in the northwest and northeastern part of Nigeria are in severe poverty as we speak today. The situation has been compounded by falling oil prices.”

Lending his voice to President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war, Africa’s richest man said anti-graft war would aid accountability.

“The war on corruption would ensure more effective service delivery in schools and hospitals. This should enable government to achieve better outcomes for any dollar spent.

“The government is also taking measures to diversify the economy by promoting local production of essential commodities. This might result in short term pains, but in the long run, the economy would benefit from job creation and preservation of scarce foreign exchange.”

Dangote, who is worth over N3 trillion, also spoke about a self-sufficient Nigeria, and his aspiration to be Africa’s biggest philanthropist.

“In the next four years, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice, in sugar and also other commodities, and would be the largest exporter of petroleum products and fertilizer in Africa, with millions of jobs being created.

Folorunsho Alakija, vice chairman of Famfa Oil; Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank; John Momoh, founder/CEO of Channels Television; Tony Elumelu, chairman of United Bank for Africa; Babatunde Osotimehin, director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) were among dignitaries present at the meeting.