Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has praised Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy for promoting Nigeria’s image internationally, citing the prominence of the artiste’s billboard during his first visit to Grenada as evidence of the global reach of Nigerian music.
Dangote made the remarks during a media briefing, where he recalled seeing Burna Boy’s image displayed prominently on a billboard shortly after arriving on the Caribbean island.
Dangote described Nigerian musicians as ambassadors whose international recognition deserves greater attention, arguing that their achievements project a positive image of the country abroad.
The billionaire businessman also criticised the attention given to Nigerians involved in criminal activities overseas, saying public discussions should place greater emphasis on individuals whose achievements contribute positively to the country’s reputation.
“The first time I went to Grenada, the first billboard that I saw was Burna Boy. These are our ambassadors, and this is what we need to be talking about. We should not be talking about somebody in Nigeria who was caught with drugs elsewhere,” Dangote said.
His account of the visit illustrated how Nigerian entertainers have gained visibility beyond Africa, with their music and public profiles reaching audiences in different parts of the world.
Burna Boy, one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised musicians, has helped bring African music to a wider audience through his work and global presence.
