Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has been honoured with the 2024 African Business Icon of the Year award by Champion Newspapers, in recognition of his extraordinary impact on African industrialisation, philanthropy, and economic transformation.
The announcement was made during the Champion Newspapers Annual Awards ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, which took place over the weekend, brought together prominent individuals, top corporate executives, technocrats, and public figures from across the country.
Receiving the award on behalf of Dangote was Tunde Oladipo, Group Branding Lead at Dangote Industries Limited, who described the recognition as a true reflection of Dangote’s legacy of excellence and his unwavering commitment to Africa’s economic development.
“This award reflects the awardee’s excellence in Nigeria and Africa,” Oladipo said, adding that Alhaji Dangote’s work over the decades continues to inspire industrial growth and economic resilience on the continent.
Dangote, whose conglomerate remains the largest in West Africa, was also recognised as “Man of the Year” and “Global Business Icon”, sealing his position as a continental force in entrepreneurship and corporate leadership.
The award adds to the long list of recognitions earned by Dangote, who is not only a business magnate but also a dedicated philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which was endowed with $1.25 billion in 2014 and continues to fund major initiatives in health, education, and economic empowerment across Nigeria and beyond.
According to Champion Newspapers, the 2024 awards were given to 41 distinguished individuals and institutions who have made exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and technological progress. The selection criteria included integrity, service delivery, excellence, and measurable impact.
In her welcome speech, Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers, said the awards are a celebration of Nigerian ingenuity and the positive steps being taken across sectors to reposition the country.
“Our joy lies in the realisation that Nigeria is not running in circles but progressing, albeit slowly, towards development,” she said. Dr. Iheakanwa also used the occasion to call for greater support for the manufacturing sector and agricultural development to boost self-reliance.
Among the dignitaries who graced the event was the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who was named Most Outstanding Deputy Governor of the Year. He was represented by Olumide Sogunle, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, renowned tech entrepreneur and founder of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh, commended Champion Newspapers for curating one of the most credible and well-organised award ceremonies in the country.
He also shared insights into Zinox’s contribution to digitising media operations in Nigeria, including support for Champion Newspapers. Ekeh reaffirmed Zinox’s continued commitment to advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Other notable awardees included Zenith Bank, which clinched the Bank of the Year award; Oliver Alawuba, Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), who was named Banker of the Year; and Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, honoured as Media Manager of the Year.
The ceremony also spotlighted achievers in governance, entertainment, energy, finance, insurance, and public service, further reinforcing the importance of multi-sector collaboration in driving national development.
With this latest recognition, Aliko Dangote continues to cement his place not only as Africa’s wealthiest individual but as a symbol of pan-African entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable development.
