Dangote Says Daughters Capable of Leading Business

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said having a son to inherit his business empire is not a priority, stressing that his three daughters are capable of leading the conglomerate.

Dangote made the disclosure during an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday.

He said he could see one of his daughters eventually taking charge of the group after observing their interest and involvement in the family business.

Asked whether he could see one of his daughters leading the company, Dangote said, “I think, yes, I can see one of them. I’ve been watching all of them, so I can definitely see one of the three that can actually lead.”

Dangote’s daughters, Halima, Fatima and Mariya, hold senior positions within the conglomerate, with their responsibilities expanding as the group develops its succession structure.

The billionaire said their participation in the business was driven by personal interest rather than pressure from him.

“They are very, very interested in the business. I’m not forcing them to come and be part of this business, no. They are very interested, and they enjoy it,” he said.

Dangote also said his daughters could surpass his achievements and take the company to a higher level.

“One of them can be better than — I never expected to perform this much,” he said.

“But I’m sure they’re highly educated, so they will be more creative. So most likely, they might be even taking the company to the next level.”

Asked whether all three daughters were capable of leading the business, Dangote replied, “All of them.”

The businessman also dismissed the idea that he needed a son, particularly because of traditional expectations surrounding male heirs in Kano.

“Sometimes you can pray for God to give you a son, but that son might be the one to bring down the name of the family,” he said.

“Sometimes when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push. I don’t think a son would have done something better than these three daughters that I have. That one, I think, you know, it’s not my priority.”

He added that having a male heir did not automatically guarantee the preservation of a family legacy.

“God controls everything. And for me, really, sometimes, yeah, you can pray for God to give you a son, but that son might be the one that would tear down the name of the family.

“So sometimes when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push,” he said.

Dangote further stated, “Even if I had a son, I don’t think the son would have done better than these three daughters that I have.”

However, he said his succession strategy went beyond handing control of the conglomerate to a family member.

Dangote said he wanted the company to be run professionally, with strong corporate governance that could protect the business beyond his tenure.

“I want this company to be run professionally. I want to have the highest level of governance,” he said.

He cited global companies such as Microsoft and Apple as examples of businesses that had continued to thrive beyond their founders.

“We want to make sure that we make it very difficult for any family member to come and destroy anything,” Dangote said.

On his desired legacy, the businessman said he hoped to contribute to the industrialisation of Africa.

“What I want to leave as a legacy is to industrialise Africa,” he said.

“I cannot do it alone, but I’m 100% sure that in the next two or three years, other Africans will join.”