LAGOS: Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has said having a son is not a priority for him, insisting that he is proud of the achievements of his three daughters.
Dangote made the remarks during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday while responding to a question about whether he still wished to have a male heir to continue the family name and business legacy.
The 69-year-old billionaire said he leaves such matters in God’s hands, noting that having a male child does not automatically guarantee the continuation or success of a family. That is not my priority because God controls everything.
You can pray for God to give you a son, but he might be the one to take down the name of the family. Sometimes, when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push, Dangote said.
The Dangote Group chairman said he does not believe a son would necessarily have achieved more than his daughters, Mariya, Halima and Fatima.
According to him, the accomplishments of his three daughters have given him little reason to feel that he needs a male heir. I don’t think a son would have done better than the three daughters I have, he said.
His comments come amid renewed public interest in the billionaire’s succession plans and how his vast business empire and wealth will eventually be managed.
Dangote also confirmed that an agreement has been reached to dedicate one-third of his estate to philanthropy after his death.
His daughter, Halima Dangote, had disclosed in July that the family agreed that 33 per cent of Dangote’s estate would be committed to charitable causes through the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Confirming the arrangement, Dangote said the agreement had already been signed. It’s a paper that we’ve signed an agreement that in case anything happens, because I won’t live forever, that one-third belongs to Dangote Foundation, and the foundation should pass that money to people, he said.
According to Forbes, Dangote’s estimated net worth stands at $51.3 billion.
The business mogul also offered advice to young people hoping to build successful careers and businesses.
He urged them to work hard, remain consistent and focused, and avoid trying to pursue too many things at once. Work hard, be consistent, focused and know what you want to do. You can’t be a jack of all trades; concentrate, you will get there, and don’t be too much in a hurry, he said. Reflecting on his early business journey, Dangote said his career did not begin with importing goods.
He recalled that he started as a distributor, initially selling just four trucks. I started business only selling four trucks as a distributor and not an importer,” he said.
Dangote’s latest comments add a personal dimension to the ongoing conversation around succession, family wealth and the future of one of Africa’s most influential business empires.
