Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has been named the 2024 African Business Icon of the Year by Champion Newspapers
The announcement was made in a statement by Tunde Oladipo, Group Branding Lead at Dangote Industries Limited, who received the award on Dangote’s behalf at the 2024 Champion Newspapers Annual Awards held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Oladipo described the honour as a reflection of Dangote’s enduring impact on the continent’s economic growth. “This award speaks to his excellence in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
In addition to the top honour, Dangote was also recognised as “Man of the Year” and “Global Business Icon,” highlighting his decades-long leadership in industrialisation, philanthropy, and economic transformation across Africa.
The billionaire businessman is also the chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which was endowed with $1.25 billion in 2014 and continues to support initiatives in health, education, and economic empowerment.
Dangote was one of 41 individuals and organisations celebrated for their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic, technological, and social development.
Other notable awardees included Zenith Bank (Bank of the Year), Oliver Alawuba of United Bank for Africa (Banker of the Year), and Olufemi Soneye of NNPC Limited (Media Manager of the Year).
In her remarks, Champion Newspapers’ Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, stressed the need to celebrate individuals and institutions driving progress in governance and development.
“Our joy lies in the realisation that Nigeria is not running in circles but progressing—albeit slowly—towards development,” she said, urging more support for the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, was also honoured as the Most Outstanding Deputy Governor of the Year. He was represented by Olumide Sogunle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy.
The event chairman, Zinox Technologies founder Leo Stan Ekeh, praised Champion Newspapers for hosting what he called one of Nigeria’s most well-organised award ceremonies. He also reaffirmed Zinox’s commitment to helping digitise the media landscape and advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
The awards recognised excellence across various sectors including finance, public service, grassroots governance, entertainment, and energy, highlighting the leadership shaping Nigeria’s future.
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Business man wey sabi…
Congrats to him