Africa’s richest man and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has stepped down as Chairman and Director of the company’s Board, effective July 25, 2025.
The decision marks a major leadership transition for the cement giant.
According to a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, the move will allow Dangote to focus more intensely on the Group’s refinery, petrochemicals, and fertilizer businesses, as well as government relations—key areas in the company’s strategic five-year growth plan.
In his place, the Board has appointed Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman.
Ikazoboh brings decades of leadership experience, including prior roles in corporate governance and regulatory oversight.
The company also announced changes to its board composition. Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has been appointed to the Board of Directors, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot has retired from her role as a director.
The leadership reshuffle is part of Dangote Cement’s broader strategy to strengthen its governance structure and position the business for sustained regional and global expansion.
Chiejina said, ‘’Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.
‘’Dangote Cement Plc has 52.0Mta capacity across African continent with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta. Currently, additional greenfield plants are coming up in Cote Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta) and on completion this year will push total capacity to 61.0Mta.’’
The spokesperson noted that under Aliko Dangote’s visionary leadership, Dangote Cement Plc achieved its highest-ever revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization.
As revealed in the unaudited financial results for the six months ending June 30, 2025, group revenue rose by 17.7%, climbing from ₦1.760 trillion in the same period of 2024 to ₦2.071.6 trillion — the highest in the company’s history.
