THOMAS IMONIKHE

FOR most patriots and beneficiaries of Aliko Dangote Foundation, ADF’s humanitarian programmes including those targeted at hunger and poverty reduction, the recent listing of Africa’s richest man, Aliko, among the leading philanthropists worldwide, by TIME Magazine of London, represents a deserved crowning of the business mogul’s decades-long charity of giving back to society, and supporting governments in alleviating hardship in Nigeria and beyond.
The prestigious rating was particularly enthralling for the citizens given the thorough scrutiny and empirical assessment carried out by the respected publication before arriving at its conclusion of placing the founder and President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote as the only Nigerian eligible to mount the podium of famous philanthropists, thus making the selection process flawless, credible and open to interrogation.
And for a billionaire, who had publicly confessed that his mother instilled in him the ethos of giving back, which has inspired his philanthropy in the last three decades, and expressed optimism that “my three daughters will continue this legacy, just as they will continue to grow our business and impact”, the latest honour will not only boost his chances of not just being Africa’s richest person, but its biggest philanthropist as well as serves as needed impetus to do more.
Recall that the Magazine named Aliko in its inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list which identified the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy worldwide disclosing that the ADF spends a record average of $35 million a year on programmes across Africa, alongside other global figures in charitable work, such as Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates, all of whom were designated as Titans. Other heavyweights on the list include David Beckham; Dolly Parton; Lisa Yang; Michael Dell and Susan Dell; Tsitsi and Strive Masiyiwa; Jack Ma; Alex Soros, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, among others.
It is soul lifting and note worthy that only Dangote made the list of 100 influential individuals from Nigeria, across 28 countries who were recognized for their exceptional philanthropic efforts in four categories namely Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, and Innovators, with Dangote emerging as one of the 23 Titans globally.
But Dangote, who will be formally conferred with Champion Newspapers’ 2024 Man of the Year: Global Business Leader Award alongside other recipients during the annual awards on June 7, 2025 at the Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island Lagos, apart from been inculcated with philanthropy, had for many years through the ADF, demonstrated that greatness which in the words of Late American motivational writer, William Arthur Ward is not “found in possessions, power, position, or prestige” but “discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character”.
In other words, the billionaire’s burning passion to impact humanity positively and in conjunction with governments, to reduce poverty and hunger to the barest minimum, didn’t come happenstance but a deliberate decision to cater for the less privileged members of the society thereby ultimately, raising their living standards.
Interestingly too, the rare honour by TIME Magazine came at a period that the Foundation led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Zouera Youssoufou, successfully anchored its Annual National Food Intervention Project during which over one million poor and vulnerable Nigerians across the 774 Local Government Areas in the 36 states received a 10kg bag of rice each which gulped whooping N16 billion in line with the conglomerate’s core values.
“This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values,” Dangote, who is also the chairman of the Foundation, declared through his daughter, Maria, during the flag-off of the nationwide distribution in Kano.
According to the records, Dangote’s unassailable philanthropic efforts in Nigeria and Africa first received a major boost as far back as 2014, when he endowed the Foundation with $1.25 billion, with the cardinal aim of giving back to fatherland and the continent that continue to play such important role in his successful life trajectory, through massive investments in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment as well as contribution to setting Africans up for impactful endeavours.
Similarly, it should be noted that the Foundation’s earlier vaccine programme in Nigeria, developed in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, contributed immensely to the World Health Organisation’s 2020 declaration that polio had been eradicated from Africa. Nigeria being the most populous nation in Africa was the last country to eradicate the devastating disease.
Besides also regularly making huge donations for the construction of hostels and other facilities in tertiary institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Ibadan, Bayero University, Kano, the business icon recently announced a N15 billion donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, based in Kano State which recently reappointed him as Chancellor.
Also, his commitment to long-term societal change has also been reflected in the Foundation’s multi billion naira investments in education which include providing vocational training and providing scholarships at the secondary and tertiary levels, in addition to offering annual fellowships through the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Programme as part of calculated efforts to “create the next generation of African leaders”.
A man of integrity and profound business acumen, Dangote, before now, had received many laurels both within and outside Nigeria, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and philanthropy. These include the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), him becoming the first person outside public office holders to bag the recognition; the highest national accolade in the Republic of Benin, the Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin; clinched the highest civilian honour in Cameroon – the Commander of the National Order of Valour and the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger from the Republic of Niger. Only last year, Aliko Dangote was conferred with an award of the Commander of the Order of the Lion by the Senegalese President, Macky Sall.
However, one of the major lessons that all, particularly the youth across Africa should learn from Dangote’s latest recognition as a titan of philanthropy, is the urgent imperative to embrace work ethics encompassing moral principles, values, and beliefs that guide their behaviours in various professions, integrity, responsibility, and should always shun the ‘get rich quick syndrome’ which experience has shown influenced their engaging in criminalities that promise quick financial gains, without any regard for ethical or legal considerations.
Also, the honoree has proven yet again, that with a clear vision, focus on your objectives, hard work, integrity and a determination to succeed, and more importantly as law abiding citizen, one doesn’t need to serve in public office or indulge in untoward ventures to attain greatness, make profound impact in the lives of the people and win national, continental and global laurels. Truly, the global applause is well deserved.