Dangote Urges Nigerians To Invest In Industry, Not Luxury

✍️ By Teju/ December 6, 2025/ 1:31pm

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has issued a blunt message to wealthy Nigerians: the country needs factories, not more Rolls Royces and private jets.

Speaking passionately in a newly surfaced video, the billionaire industrialist called for a shift from flashy spending to real investment that can create jobs and stabilize Nigeria’s struggling economy.

Dangote expressed concern that Nigeria’s economic challenges demand urgent and collective action. With 8.7 million babies added to the population each year, he stressed that the country must aggressively improve power supply, infrastructure, and industrial capacity. According to him, this cannot be achieved if the elite prioritize luxury over national development.

He highlighted his frustration with Nigeria’s overflowing private jet terminals, saying those billions would make far more impact if channeled into industries that create jobs and strengthen the nation’s productive base.

Dangote also emphasized the importance of responsible business practices, noting that corporations must pay their taxes and treat government as a partner, not an enemy.

“When government gives us an environment to make money, we must do our civic duty. If I pay tax, your children can go to school and hospital,” he said.

He stressed that foreign investors will only come when domestic investors show confidence, adding that good governance, rule of law, and favourable policies are key ingredients for economic growth.

Reflecting on past challenges like the company’s textile losses, which forced the laying off of 7,000 workers in one day, Dangote insisted that Nigerians must champion industrialization themselves.

“Nobody will develop this country but us,” he said.

Dangote concluded by describing his recent meeting with the President as a “fruitful discussion” focused on the economy and the investment climate.