By Ayomide Otitoju
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on the federal and state governments to prioritize local investors as a catalyst for attracting foreign direct investment and driving sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo, which brought together investors from across Nigeria and beyond, Dangote emphasized that thriving domestic investment is a prerequisite for foreign investor confidence.
“No foreigner will come and invest in a country where local investors are not active,” he said. “Foreign investors are attracted only when they see viable prospects. When they observe that local investments are thriving, they will come without invitation.”
Dangote, Africa’s richest man, further revealed that the federal government earns more from his Dangote Cement operations than the company itself. “For every ₦1 we generate, 52 kobo goes to the federal government. That’s why governments must provide the right environment and infrastructure to support business growth,” he said, adding that tax compliance is essential for responsible corporate citizenship.
He urged continued support for domestic enterprises, warning that failure to do so could limit job creation and economic stability. “When you encourage local investment, you create jobs. If you don’t, there will be unemployment,” he warned.
Dangote commended Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas for hosting the investment summit, describing it as a step toward unlocking the state’s economic potential. He noted Taraba’s abundant natural resources, particularly its vast arable land, as strategic assets for agricultural development and poverty alleviation.
“We will invest in Taraba State. This is home. We will not go elsewhere. We are committed to creating jobs,” he assured.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman, Tony Elumelu, also spoke at the summit and pledged the bank’s readiness to invest in Taraba, aligning with the state’s economic development goals.
Beyond investment, Dangote’s philanthropic efforts continue to draw global acclaim. TIME Magazine recently named him among its inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, which honours individuals shaping the future of global giving. Dangote was listed among the “Titans,” alongside global figures such as Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Bloomberg.
The recognition highlighted the impact of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), which he endowed with $1.25 billion in 2014. The foundation currently runs a $100 million programme to combat child malnutrition and recently distributed over one million bags of rice under a nationwide food relief initiative.
In the health sector, ADF’s longstanding collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation played a central role in the eradication of polio in Nigeria—an achievement confirmed by the World Health Organization in 2015.
Education also remains a priority for the Foundation. Dangote recently pledged $10 million to support the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano State and announced plans for 2025 to construct new school complexes, expand vocational training, and support global leadership fellowships.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Dangote Group described the TIME recognition as a reaffirmation of its founder’s deep commitment to social development and inclusive growth across Africa.
Meanwhile, TIME also included Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Director of Nutrition, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, on its list of the 100 Most Influential People in Global Health, further spotlighting Nigeria’s growing impact on global humanitarian and health initiatives.
