President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has said having a son is not a priority for him, stressing that he is content with the achievements of his three daughters, Mariya, Halima and Fatima.
The 69-year-old billionaire made the remarks during an interview aired by Arise News on Tuesday amid discussions about his succession plans and the future of his wealth.
Responding to a question on whether he still wanted a male heir to carry on the family name, Dangote said he would leave the matter to God rather than place emphasis on having a son.
He argued that having a male child does not necessarily guarantee the preservation or success of a family name, urging people not to force outcomes when circumstances do not favour them.
“That is not my priority because God controls everything. You can pray for God to give you a son, but he might be the one to take down the name of the family. Sometimes, when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push,” Dangote said.
The businessman also expressed confidence in the abilities of his daughters, saying he did not believe a son would have achieved more than they have.
“I don’t think a son would have done better than the three daughters I have,” he said.
His comments come as attention continues to surround the succession of his business empire and the eventual distribution of his wealth.
In July, Halima Dangote, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed that the family had reached an agreement to dedicate 33 per cent of Dangote’s estate to philanthropy.
Dangote confirmed the arrangement during the interview, explaining that a formal agreement had been signed to ensure that one-third of his wealth would go to the Dangote Foundation after his death.
He said the foundation would then channel the funds towards helping people.
“It’s a paper that we’ve signed an agreement that in case anything happens, because I won’t live forever, that one-third belongs to Dangote Foundation, and the foundation should pass that money to people,” he said.
According to Forbes, Dangote has an estimated net worth of $51.3 billion, placing him among Africa’s wealthiest individuals.
His remarks on succession and philanthropy therefore provide further insight into how he views the future management and social use of his wealth.
The billionaire also offered advice to young people seeking to build successful careers and businesses, urging them to work hard, remain consistent and focused, and avoid attempting to pursue too many things at once.
He stressed the importance of knowing what one wants to achieve and allowing the process to take its course.
“Work hard, be consistent, focused, and know what you want to do. You can’t be a jack of all trades; concentrate, you will get there, and don’t be too much in a hurry,” he said.
Reflecting on his early business career, Dangote recalled that he began by distributing goods rather than importing them.
