Africa’s Wealthiest Man Steps Down from Dangote Cement
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest businessman and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, has officially retired from his role as Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. His retirement took effect on July 25, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of Africa’s largest and most successful industrial ventures.
The announcement was made public in a statement issued on Friday by Anthony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Communications Officer of the Dangote Group. According to the release, Dangote made the decision to step down from the cement business in order to devote more time and energy to other large-scale strategic projects under the Dangote Group.
These projects include the ambitious Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as well as major operations in the petrochemical and fertiliser industries. The conglomerate is also deepening its focus on government and regulatory relations, all of which require Dangote’s close attention and leadership as the group navigates its next growth phase.
“Aliko Dangote, the renowned industrialist and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, has officially stepped down as a Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors effective July 25, 2025,” Chiejina said in the statement.
“He has made this move in order to fully concentrate on other key businesses, including the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser, and Government Relations. These areas are central to the company’s five-year strategic vision and will benefit greatly from his direct involvement,” he added.
Aliko Dangote’s decision to retire from the board of the company he founded comes after decades of transforming Dangote Cement from a modest operation into a dominant force in Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Today, Dangote Cement is the continent’s largest cement producer, with operations in multiple African countries and a significant role in driving industrialisation across the region.
In light of his retirement, the Board of Dangote Cement has appointed Emmanuel Ikazoboh as the new Chairman. Ikazoboh is a seasoned professional and currently serves as an independent non-executive director on the board. His elevation to the chairmanship is seen as a move that will ensure continuity, corporate governance, and strategic leadership during this new chapter.
In addition to this leadership change, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has been appointed to the company’s board. She brings with her fresh perspectives and a commitment to upholding the company’s legacy while embracing innovation and future growth. Meanwhile, Professor Dorothy Ufot, a long-standing independent non-executive director, has also stepped down from the board, marking another transition in the company’s leadership structure.
Aliko Dangote’s retirement from the cement board does not signify a withdrawal from the business world. Instead, it reflects a strategic shift in focus toward sectors that are poised to play a vital role in Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic transformation. The Dangote Refinery, for instance, is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, while the petrochemical and fertiliser plants aim to boost local production and create employment.
Industry analysts view the move as a natural evolution for Dangote, whose long-term vision has consistently centered on industrial self-sufficiency for Nigeria and broader economic empowerment across the continent.
Under his leadership, Dangote Cement achieved remarkable milestones, including cross-border expansion, significant market share, and major contributions to infrastructure development. His legacy as one of Africa’s most influential industrialists remains firmly intact, even as he shifts his focus to other sectors of the economy.
As Aliko Dangote turns his attention to new priorities, the transition at Dangote Cement marks a significant moment in Nigerian and African corporate history, signalling not just the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another bold industrial drive.
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