Aliko Dangote has retired as Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, the company he founded and developed into Africa’s largest cement producer.
In a statement on Friday, Anthony Chiejina, the group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, announced the decision, saying Dangote was stepping aside “to focus more attention on the refinery, petrochemicals, fertiliser, and government relations.”
“Foremost entrepreneur and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 25, 2025,” Chiejina said.
The company named Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new chairman. Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has also joined the board, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot, another independent non-executive director, has retired.
“The board of Dangote Cement Plc has therefore announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh… while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board,” Chiejina said.
Chiejina recalled that Dangote’s involvement in cement started with the aim “to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production.” He said the company now has a total production capacity of 52 million metric tonnes annually, with Nigeria accounting for 35.25 million tonnes. New plants in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0Mta) are expected to push total capacity to 61.0Mta.
He added that Dangote Cement “recorded the highest revenue and EBITDA in the history of the company” under Dangote’s leadership.
According to the company’s unaudited financial report for the first half of 2025, group revenue rose by 17.7 percent to N2.07 trillion, up from N1.76 trillion in the same period last year. EBITDA increased by 41.8 percent to N944.9 billion. Profit before tax rose by 149 percent to N730 billion, and profit after tax jumped by 174.1 percent to N520.5 billion.
Cement exports from Nigeria also increased by 18.2 percent, with 18 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon.
“Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential,” Chiejina said. “It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.”
In his acceptance speech, Ikazoboh called his appointment an honour and pledged to uphold “the highest standards of leadership and dedication.” He listed his key priorities as reducing costs through “robust cost-reduction strategies” and adopting alternative fuels and technologies to cut reliance on fossil fuels.
Chiejina noted that Ikazoboh previously served as group chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc. and started his career at Akintola Williams Deloitte. In 2010, he was appointed by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to oversee reforms at the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Central Sec
urities Clearing System.