Stephen GbolagadeAliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman, billionaire, and philanthropist. He’s the chairman and founder of the Dangote Group. Dangote, who is the first Nigerian to be featured on the Forbes list of richest people, is currently number one in Nigeria and Africa, with a global position of 117 on the Forbes list of billionaires.
Early Life of Aliko Dangote
Dangote was born and raised in a Muslim family in Kano State, Nigeria. He is the son of Mohammed Dangote (Father) and Mariya Sanusi Dantata (Mother), and the great-grandson of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, who was among Africa’s richest when alive.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dangote has had the entrepreneurial spirit right from his days in primary school. The billionaire recalled that he would buy candies in cartons to make money for himself.
But this didn’t affect or hinder his education. After his primary education, Dangote attended the Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa, an Islamic school where he was thought the Quaran.
After that, he attended Capital High School in Kano before moving to Jigawa State where he completed his secondary education at the Government College, Birnin Kudu. He then went on to attend Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business studies and administration.
Aliko Dangote Date of Birth
Aliko Dangote was born on the 10th of April, 1957—making him 64-years-old in 2021.
Business Career of Aliko Dangote
The business mogul started the Dangote group in 1977 as a small trading firm. To grow the business, Dangote relocated the business to Lagos State. And over the years, the company moved from a trading firm to one of the largest industrial corporations in the country.
The Dangote Group is today, a multi-billion dollar conglomerate with branches across Nigeria and other African countries like Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, and Zambia. Dangote sugar refinery is the largest in the country.
It supplies all breweries in the country with sugar for their soft drinks and other beverages.
Dangote cement has also been a huge market leader in the cement industry. The Dangote Group is now made up of Dangote flour, Dangote cement, Dangote sugar, Dangote salt, Dangote oil and gas, Dangote steel, and Dangote Packaging.
These have all been a major success, especially the Dangote sugar refinery which produces over 800,000 tonnes of sugar annually, making it the largest in Africa.
Asides from these, Dangote also diversified to telecommunications as he built 14,000-km of fiber optics cable to supply the whole country. The company also imports food products like pasta, fish, and rice.
While it exports other items like cocoa, cashew, cotton, and ginger, to various countries around the world.
Dangote has had a major impact on the economic development of the country. In 2009, Dangote was recognized as the highest employer of labor in the country. Currently, the Dangote Group employs over 11,000 people annually.
Dangote is still committed to the growth of the country’s economy and has promised to keep investing in the country.
Awards and Notable Achievements of Aliko Dangote
Awards:
- 2013: Most Powerful Man in Africa — Forbes
- 2014: Most Powerful Man in Africa — Forbes
- 2014: Africa Person Of The Year — Forbes
- 2015: Most Powerful Man in Africa — Forbes
- 2015: The Guardian Man Of The Year — The Guardian
- 2016: Most Powerful Man in Africa — Forbes
- 2016: Africa Business Leader Award — Africa-America Institute (AAI)
- 2017: Most Powerful Man in Africa — Forbes
- 2018: Most Powerful Man in Africa — Forbes
Notable Achievements:
In 2011, Dangote was awarded The Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by the then President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The award is the second-highest national honor after the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic.
The GCON was traditionally given to those in government and previous recipients were Vice Presidents, Chief Justices, and Senate Presidents. Dangote became the first individual outside the government to be conferred with the GCON award. This was due to his efforts and contributions toward the economic development of Nigeria.
Three years later, in 2014, Dangote was listed in CNBC’s Top 25 Businessmen in the World who shaped the century. In April that same year, he was listed on the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Times Magazine. A year later, in October 2015, Bloomberg Markets listed Dangote among the 50 Most Influential Individuals in the World.
Lifestyle of Aliko Dangote
The billionaire lives in Lagos, but also has an all-white mansion worth $30 million in the Federal Capital. Dangote has been married to about three women which all ended in divorce.
His first was chosen for him back in the 70’s he was also married to Mariya Muhammad Rufai, the daughter of the then commissioner of women affairs and in Bauchi State. This also ended in divorce. At the moment, Dangote has three kids and is currently married but has kept his marital status private.
Dangote Net Worth
When writing this article, Dangote’s net worth according to Forbes is $17.8 billion.
This is because the Dangote Group produces about 45.6 metric tonnes of cement annually across different African countries. This makes him the 117 richest in the world, the number one richest in Africa, and number one in Nigeria as well.
Autos: Exotic Cars of Aliko Dangote
When you earn so much, it’s only expected that you own a lot of luxurious and yes, Aliko Dangote doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Here are his exotic cars and private jet.
- Bentley Mulsanne
- Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
- Bugatti Veyron
- Maybach 57S Knight Luxury
- Bombardier’s Global Express XRS private jet
Summary & FAQs on Aliko Dangote
- How old is Aliko Dangote? – 64years old (in 2021)
- How many children does Aliko Dangote have? – 3 children
- Who is the first wife of Aliko Dangote? – Mariya Muhammad Rufai
- What does Dangote company do? – Manufacturing, Sugar Milling, Sugar Refining, Port Operations, Packaging Material Production, and Salt Refining.
- Is Dangote Hausa or Fulani? – Hausa
- What are the names of Dangote’s children? – Halima, Fatima, and Mariya
- Is Aliko Dangote educated? – Yes, he has a degree in Business Administration
Stephen Gbolagade
Stephen Olgade