Tinubu Portrayed as Attentive Leader by Dangote, Citing Private Sector Revival

 Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual and Chairman of the Dangote Group, on July 27, 2025, described President Bola Tinubu as a “listening president” whose policies are breathing new life into Nigeria’s private sector. 

Speaking at a venture capital conference hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dangote highlighted the impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms, including tax incentives and foreign exchange adjustments, on his conglomerate’s projected $25 billion revenue for 2025, with an ambitious target of $30 billion in 2026. He specifically credited the operationalization of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery and a 15% export growth in cement production to these policies.

Dangote’s endorsement comes amid a 5% GDP growth in the non-oil sector, per the National Bureau of Statistics, though he acknowledged challenges like a 33.4% inflation rate affecting consumer purchasing power. The narrative of policy success is robust from a corporate perspective, with the refinery expected to save Nigeria $10 billion annually in fuel imports. 

However, economic analysts from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group caution that the benefits are concentrated among large firms, with small businesses struggling under high costs. The portrayal of Tinubu’s leadership as transformative is compelling, but its broader impact awaits evidence of inclusive growth.