President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that he bought his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half, while reflecting on his decades-long journey as a businessman.
Dangote made the disclosure on Monday in Lagos during the formal launch of the Initial Public Offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals at the Nigerian Exchange.
Reflecting on his career, the billionaire businessman said he had enjoyed his journey in business but had gradually shifted his focus towards investments that contribute directly to economic production.
He said he no longer places the same importance on private air travel and would be comfortable using commercial flights when necessary.
“My career as a businessman, I really had a great time. I was telling somebody that right now I don’t mind, I can take commercial, I can take anything. I had my first private jet at 22 and a half years old.”
Dangote also used the occasion to encourage wealthy Nigerians to channel more of their resources into productive investments rather than spending excessively on luxury assets.
He specifically appealed to individuals capable of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on private aircraft to consider investing similar resources in businesses and industries that can create jobs and strengthen the economy.
“I try as much as I can to encourage people who are riding $900 million aircraft to please go and put that into production. We are not going to be a great nation without doing something productive.”
The billionaire’s comments came as his group moved forward with the listing process for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, one of the country’s largest industrial investments.
Dangote has consistently advocated greater investment in manufacturing and domestic production, arguing that Nigeria needs to expand its industrial capacity and reduce dependence on imported goods.
His latest remarks also reflect a broader argument that private wealth can contribute more significantly to economic development when invested in productive sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure and other industries capable of creating jobs and increasing domestic output.
I had my first private jet at 22 and a half years old. I try as much as I can to encourage people who are riding $900 million aircraft to please go and put that into production. We are not going to be a great nation without doing something productive. It took me 30 minutes to… pic.twitter.com/dBT8n4gkU2
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) September 14, 2026
The IPO launch provided the backdrop for Dangote’s comments as the company seeks to deepen public participation in the refinery and petrochemical business through the Nigerian capital market.
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