On the 16th February, 2026, the Dangote Industries Group announced major appointments to drive its vision 2030 which is to become a $100 billion enterprise. The appointments elevated the roles of the three daughters of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group and the richest man in Africa.

In the appointments, the eldest daughter, Mariya is to assume the position of Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Cement and Food Business. The second daughter, Halima, was appointed as Group Executive Director, Dangote Family Office and International offices (Dubai & London), while Fatima Dangote was appointed Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Oil & Gas. This includes the operations of the $20Billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Fertilizers and the West African Exploration and Production Company Ltd (WAEP) Upstream.

To many Nigerians, Dangote businesses are for himself and his family. In reality, this is far from the truth. Dangote businesses are now our business. Our National business. Our National brand. A Nigerian Multinational conglomerate. A landmark institution. Our National pride and joy.

Our comfort, sustenance, lifestyles and livelihood depend on Dangote businesses. Dangote produces sugar that sweetens our food, salt which enhances the flavor and preserves our food, flour for our baking and cooking, cement for our shelter and infrastructure, fertilizer for boosting our food production, petrochemicals for the industries, the refinery for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel for transportation, logistics and running the industries. There is hardly any Nigerian family that does not use one Dangote product or the other. In our history as Nigerians, there is no record of a Nigerian businessman who has invested in varied sectors that impact on our lives as much as Dangote has. In addition, Dangote is a major employer of labour which feeds and sustains many families economically. For many investors in the Nigeria Exchange, investments in Dangote companies such as Dangote Sugar, Dangote Flour, Dangote Cement have become a life-changing experience. Dangote companies have from the inception of their listing on the Exchange paid mouth-watering dividends thereby rewarding investors handsomely.

For a conglomerate that impacts and touches our lives in many ways, a major concern for its stakeholders is its sustainability and future prospects, more so, when its founder, Aliko Dangote is approaching old age at 68.

The decision to elevate the daughters of Dangote to executive positions is a laudable one and will go a long way to allay the concerns and fears of stakeholders on issues of sustainability of the business empire. For the Dangote daughters, the assignment to take up the mantle of leadership is a wake-up call for conscientious stewardship knowing that you will carry the weight of the economic wellbeing and expectations of Nigerians and other nationals on your shoulders. You can no longer live in the shoulders of your legendary father but it is time to prove your mettle. The greatest advantage is that the Founder is still very active and agile to groom the next generation of the Dangotes to sustain, drive and leapfrog the businesses to the next level in the best traditions, principles, cultures, values and social capital of the superbly talented and innovative President Aliko Dangote.

One of the major drawbacks of our indigenous businesses in Nigeria is lack of sustainability after the demise of the founders. By the appointments, Dangote has taken a cultural dynamic decision. In our culture, women are made to play second fiddles especially on issues of succession and inheritance. On the issue of succession, it is only men that are reckoned with. On this decision, Dangote has taken a cultural somersault and broken that jinx. Women are now leading lights in corporate ladder breaking glass ceilings. Dangote has just laid the foundation for the sustainability of big businesses in Nigeria. Other business entrepreneurs like Abdulsamad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Chief Mike Adenuga, Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola and Innocent Chukwuma should follow his footsteps.

Many Nigerian entrepreneurs that founded flourishing and scalable businesses could not consciously institute succession and sustainability plans. As a result, many of these businesses floundered and died. Where are the forerunners like Ojukwu Transport Company Ltd, Odutola Industries Ltd, Dantata Industries, Isyaku Rabiu Industries. Most Nigerian businesses are still at the first- generation stage.

In the global business scene, family-controlled businesses and hereditary principles are gaining grounds. Family businesses make up about 20% of Fortune Global 500. Such global brands like Walmart, Samsung, BMW, Volkswagen, LVMH, Glencore, Lukoil, Mukesson are all family controlled. Nigerians have continued to view big business and wealth creation as a means of enjoyment and maintaining lifestyles. As a result, most family businesses are squandered as soon as the founders and proprietors die. Wealth creation and its sustainability is the foundation of a nation’s prosperity. Wealth creation is an art which sustains humanity. Nations are built on the foundation of enterprise and not just on politics. It is not just the preservation of the family business but preservation and stewardship to humanity. It is not every family that have the gift and skill of creating and sustaining big wealth through big businesses. Those that have that skill, business in their blood or the “Lucky Sperm Club” as Warren Buffet calls them should sustain it for it is a service to sustain the economic survival and sustainability of humanity. (BusinessDay)

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