Advertisement
Aliko Dangote: My first grandson is not interested in working with me for now
30th September, 2026 07:18 AM
Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has revealed that his first grandson is not ready to join the family business, saying the young engineer wants to gain experience outside the conglomerate first.
Dangote made the remarks on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, while speaking to Kenyan and East African institutional investors in Nairobi during an engagement on the planned initial public offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The businessman explained that his grandson, who studied electrical engineering, is currently more interested in learning about finance and gaining professional experience before returning to the family business.
Dangote said his grandson is considering working with global professional services firms KPMG or PwC before eventually joining the family business.
“And my first grandson, he’s not finding it interesting to work with me for now. He wants to go and get experience with KPMG or PwC. Then after, he’ll come and join us. He’s an electrical engineer, but he wants to go and learn about money first,” Dangote said.
Dangote on his grandson’s career plans
According to Dangote, his grandson’s decision is not about completely turning away from the family business but about gaining skills and experience elsewhere before taking up a role in the conglomerate.
The young engineer appears to be taking a different path from immediately entering a business he has grown up around. By working outside the family firm, he would have an opportunity to understand other areas of business, particularly finance, before eventually returning to the family enterprise.
Dangote has previously spoken about the involvement of his children in the business and the importance of having family members who understand the work.
Dangote says his daughters are capable
Previously, Dangote had addressed questions about whether he still wanted a son to carry on his family name and legacy. During an interview aired on September 15, 2026, the 69-year-old businessman said having a son was not a priority for him and expressed satisfaction with the achievements of his three daughters, Mariya, Halima and Fatima.
Dangote said he did not believe having a male child automatically meant a family would have a stronger legacy. He also said he was confident in what his daughters had achieved, comparing their progress with what a son might have accomplished.
“I don’t think a son would have done better than the three daughters I have,” he said.
Family and the Dangote business
Dangote’s three daughters have been involved in different areas of the family business, while the billionaire has continued to build the conglomerate across sectors including cement, sugar, fertiliser and oil refining.
His latest comments show that the next generation is also being considered for the future of the family business, although his grandson appears keen to first develop his career outside the company.
For now, Dangote said the young electrical engineer wants to understand finance and gain experience before eventually returning to the family business.
