Aliko Dangote is immensely wealthy, recognized as the richest Black man in the world. To illustrate the magnitude of his fortune, no living Arab can match his wealth, regardless of their affluence. He stands as the most prosperous among contemporary Arab entrepreneurs.
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As previously noted, Dangote Cement is projected to yield a staggering 438 billion naira in dividends by June, translating to nearly $294 million in cash. For perspective: No other businessperson in Africa is expected to generate this level of income from their ventures this year. Dangote has three daughters. If he were to divide his wealth equally among them, each would remain among Nigeria's top three richest individuals, with Otunba Mike Adenuga of Glo in a distant fourth place. This highlights the monumental wealth possessed by Aliko Dangote. Interestingly, despite their fortune, Dangote's children do not flaunt their wealth on social media as many other affluent youths often do. They are grounded in what truly matters.
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Aliko has three daughters—Fatima, Halima, and Mariya—and an adopted son, Abdulrahman. Even with such financial resources, his children lead a much quieter life compared to other wealthy elites who surpass them in fame but not in wealth. Dangote himself is known for his conservative nature, a trait mirrored in how his children were raised. Fatima and Mariya are actively involved in their father's business in Ikoyi, while Halima, who is favored to succeed him, resides in Dubai managing the family's extensive wealth. This reflects the values instilled in them during their upbringing, leading to their discreet lifestyles today. Family is the foundational unit of society, wielding immense power and influence. A well-raised child is a boon to society, whereas a poorly raised one poses risks to themselves and those around them. Current societal decay can be traced back to the quality of children we are nurturing. It is troubling and disheartening. During my time at Madonna University, I encountered poorly raised youths whose parents believed the institution could rehabilitate them. Unfortunately, these individuals often gravitated toward one another, forming disruptive cliques. Many faced expulsion due to cult activities and violations of school policies, a reflection of parental shortcomings. I hold a deep appreciation for wealth, but I believe that raising children well is paramount—money should come secondary. My primary responsibility as a parent is to ensure my children are well-cultivated. While the pressures of modern life keep my generation of parents preoccupied, with bills piling up and the endless quest for financial stability, we must take a moment to assess: Are we truly nurturing our children, or are we leaving it to a nanny while we remain preoccupied? These concerns contribute to the growing number of inadequately raised children in our society.
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A new society and a renewed Nigeria are achievable, but they begin with the caliber of kids we raise today. Responsibility in parenting and fostering well-behaved children is vital for societal renewal. Raising well-adjusted kids is feasible. It begins with the commitment to nurture them right, one child at a time. In 2011, Dangote was appointed to President Jonathan's economic management team and job creation committee. Later that year, he was honored as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, Nigeria's second-highest national honor, making him the first non-governmental recipient of this distinction. In 2012 and 2013, he took legal action against Cletus Ibeto, contesting that Ibeto Cement was benefitting from illegal tax breaks. As a philanthropist, his foundation has made significant contributions to Nigeria's social and educational sector. Notably, following the violence during the 2011 presidential elections, he provided $60 to each displaced individual. Dangote is a grandfather of five and took his family to Walt Disney World in 2012. He was appointed to President Goodluck Jonathan's economic management team in 2011 and later denied rumors of running for president in 2019, instead serving on the special advisory committee for Muhammadu Buhari's re-election campaign. He has collaborated with the Gates Foundation on health initiatives, donating 150 million naira to support the Nigerian government's Ebola response in 2014, pledging $10 million to aid Nigerians affected by Boko Haram in 2016, and contributing 200 million naira to combat COVID-19 in March 2020. A fan of the English football club Arsenal F.C., Dangote showed interest in purchasing the team in 2019 and contributed to the renovation of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja in 2020 through a donation to Nigeria's ministry of sports. His accolades include being awarded Nigeria's second-highest honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association in both 2021 and 2023, as well as being profiled on Forbes World's Billionaires list in 2011 as the first Nigerian to do so. Additional honors comprise the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2012, the Sabistation Business Owners Awards in 2024, and the National Order of the Lion by President Macky Sall the same year, among others. In 2020, Dangote's group also received recognition with a CNN commercial award.