Dangote Named Leadership Person of the Year, Calls for Public-Private Sector Collaboration to Tackle Nigeria’s Economic Issues

(L-R): Chief of Staff to Aliko Dangote, Ibrahim Dikko Adamu; Senior Special Adviser to Aliko Dangote, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman; Jamil MD Abubakar; Special Adviser to Aliko Dangote, Engr. Mansur Ahmed; Senior General manager, External Relations/ Stakeholder Management, Abatcha Bishara and the Group Chief Branding and Communication, Dangote Industries Ltd, Anthony Chiejina, all representatives of the President /CE, DIL, Aliko Dangote at the Presentation of Person of the year 2024 Award, at Leadership 17th Edition of Annual Conference & Awards in State House Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa Abuja on Tuesday April 8, 2025. 

Aliko Dangote Named Leadership Person of the Year, Advocates Public-Private Sector Collaboration to Solve Nigeria’s Economic Challenges

‘Award Will Inspire Continued Efforts for National Progress,’ Says Dangote

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group and Africa’s richest individual, has been honored as Leadership Person of the Year, a recognition that underscores his significant contributions to Nigeria’s economic and social development. The award was presented during the 17th edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

During the event, attended by key figures such as the Vice President, Ministers, Governors, lawmakers, and top business leaders, Dangote called for increased collaboration between Nigeria’s public and private sectors to address the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, Dangote expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing that such accolades will fuel his commitment to making a lasting impact on Nigeria’s growth. He was joined at the event by Dangote Group executives, including Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, Ibrahim Dikko Adamu, Anthony Chiejina, Capt. Jamila MD Abubakar, Abatcha Bishara, Hashem Ahmed, and Dr. Shuaibu Abdullahi, among others.

In his address, Dangote said, “On behalf of the award recipients and stakeholders gathered here, I would like to assure all Nigerians of our commitment to continue doing everything we can to collectively make Nigeria a better place for the benefit of the present and future generations.” He further added, “Given the apocalyptic developments currently unfolding in the global economic arena, it is imperative that leading stakeholders from all sectors of every economy must close ranks and collaborate to advance the interest of their nation.”

Dangote’s latest honor is part of a growing list of prestigious awards. Notably, he received the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) from the Nigerian government in 2011, and the highest national honor of the Republic of Benin in 2013. His philanthropic work was also acknowledged with the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger award in 2022 and the Commander of the National Order of the Lion in Senegal in 2024.

Dangote has been consistently recognized on the global stage, including being named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014. He has also been listed as Africa’s Most Powerful Man by Forbes for six consecutive years. Furthermore, he was honored as Vanguard Personality of the Year in 2022 and Guardian Man of the Year in 2015.

This year’s Leadership Annual Conference and Awards had the theme “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism,” with Vice President Kashim Shettima delivering the keynote address, represented by Dr. Aliyu Umar Modibbo. The Leadership Person of the Year award reflects Dangote’s ongoing efforts to contribute to the economic and social transformation of Nigeria, inspiring others to work collaboratively toward a brighter future.