Dangote Wants Every Nigerian to Benefit From His Wealth

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said clearly that he wants ordinary Nigerians to make money from his success. 

He explained that his goal is not just to build businesses, but to ensure that Nigerians directly benefit from them, especially his oil refinery.

Dangote made this known while speaking about his plan to list the Dangote Refinery on the stock market. The refinery, which cost about twenty billion dollars to build, is one of the biggest industrial projects in Africa. 

According to him, listing it will allow Nigerians to own part of the refinery and earn from its success.

Making Nigerians owners, not just observers

Dangote said the main reason for listing the refinery is to give Nigerians the chance to become real owners of the project. 

He explained that he wants “every living Nigerian” to be able to buy shares, no matter how small. Even someone who can only afford a few shares should be allowed to take part.

He also made it clear that there will be no limit on how many shares people can buy. If Nigerians end up owning more of the refinery than he does, he said he is fine with that. To him, control is not the most important thing. What matters more is creating something that Nigerians can rely on for many years.

A project built for legacy

Dangote described the refinery as a legacy project. He said he wants it to outlive him and continue to support Nigerians long after he is gone. In his view, true success comes when people can depend on the profits of the refinery to improve their lives.

He explained that when the refinery performs well, Nigerians who own shares should be able to rely on the income it generates. This, he said, is the real fulfilment for him, not just being known as a wealthy man.

Diaspora Nigerians are included

Dangote also confirmed that the share offer will not be limited to Nigerians living in the country. Nigerians in the diaspora will also be allowed to buy shares and benefit from the refinery.

To make this more attractive, he revealed that dividends will be paid in United States dollars. 

He explained that since a large part of the refinery’s business is done in dollars, paying dividends in dollars will protect investors’ value and make it easier for Nigerians abroad to benefit as well.

How the plan started

The plan to list the refinery was first announced in July during a major energy conference in Abuja. At the event, Dangote said preparations were already in progress to bring the refinery to the stock market.

He explained that listing the refinery will allow individuals, institutions, and even governments to invest in it. According to him, the idea is simple: Nigerians and Africans should not just consume fuel, they should also own and profit from the facilities that produce it.

Dangote added that Africa has the capacity to refine all the petroleum products it uses within the continent, instead of relying heavily on imports.

A message beyond wealth

With this move, Dangote is sending a strong message that his wealth should not benefit only him or foreign partners. Instead, he wants Nigerians to share in the value created by one of the biggest refineries in the world.

For many Nigerians, the proposed listing represents a rare chance to be part of a major industrial success story, not just as consumers, but as owners.