*Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, declares the ‘Award will help sustain our efforts,’ urging the public and private sectors to work together to tackle Nigeria鈥檚 socio-economic and political challenges

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group and Africa鈥檚 wealthiest person, has been named “Person of the Year” at a ceremony in Abuja, FCT.

Dangote used the occasion to advocate a robust collaboration between the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy to help in resolving the country’s current economic conundrum.

He stated this while speaking at the 17th edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President/CE of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) was represented at the event by Engr. Mansur Ahmed, his Special Adviser, who collected the award on Dangote’s behalf.

The theme for this year鈥檚 Awards is: “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria鈥檚 Fiscal Federalism”, and the keynote address was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Aliyu Umar Modibbo.

Dangote further emphasised that the duo of public and private sectors must work together to tackle Nigeria鈥檚 socio-economic and political challenges.

Dangote was named Leadership Person of the Year by the Leadership Group of Newspaper at an event attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Ministers, State Governors, lawmakers, top government functionaries, and private sector operators.

The Group disclosed the Management and Staff from the Dangote Group, including Senior Special Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, Chief of Staff to the President of Dangote Group, Ibrahim Dikko Adamu, Group Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, attended the event, in Abuja.

Others in attendance included Capt. Jamila MD Abubakar, Senior General Manager, External Relations and Stakeholders Management, Abatcha Bishara, General Manager, Government Relations Hashem Ahmed, and National Assembly Liaison Lead, Dr. Shuaibu Abdullahi, among others.

We’re committed to making Nigeria a better place for present, future generations -Dangote

Commenting on the Award, Dangote said: 鈥淥n behalf of the award recipients and stakeholders gathered here, I would like to assure all Nigerians of our commitment to continuing doing everything we can to collectively make Nigeria a better place for the benefit of the present and future generations.鈥�

He also stated: 鈥淕iven 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.鈥�

He equally thanked the Leadership Newspapers for considering him for such a lofty award.

The recognition has inspired me to do more for his country, said Dangote.

Dangote Group noted the latest “Leadership Person of the Year Award” is coming in the wake of numerous other recognitions.

String of honours for Aliko Dangote

It recalled that on November 14, 2011, the Nigerian Government conferred on Aliko Dangote the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), becoming the first person outside government functionaries to bag the honour.

In 2013, he was conferred with the highest national honour in the Republic of Benin, the Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin.

Similarly, in 2027, he was awarded the Officer of the Congolese Order of Merit.

The conglomerate Aldo noted Dangote, in August 2022, was conferred with the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger award by the then President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey, in appreciation for his services rendered to the Republic of Niger and as well as a tribute to his business acumen and philanthropy.

In 2024, he was conferred with the prestigious award of Commander of the National Order of the Lion, by President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal, for his commitment to economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.

In April 2014, TIME Magazine listed him among its 100 ‘Most Influential People in the World.

For six consecutive years, 2013 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Forbes listed him as the ‘Most Powerful Man in Africa鈥� alongside the Egyptian President Abdel Fatteh el Sisi.

He was Vanguard Personality of the Year in 2022 and Guardian Man of the Year 2015.

In 2012 and 2024, the Daily Sun, Nigeria鈥檚 leading tabloid named him the Sun Man of the Year.

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