By Ngozi Njoku
Lagos, June 27, 2026 (NAN) Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has urged the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) to lead high-level leadership training for African presidents, prime ministers and governors.
He also included senior policymakers among those to be trained, describing the institute as the most strategically positioned centre for continental leadership renewal.
Dangote spoke during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the institute and the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) to his petroleum refinery.
Prof. Elvis Otobo, Media Consultant to the Deputy Chief Executive of OOLI, issued this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.
According to Dangote, there is the need for African leaders, past and present, to embrace the OOLI as a strategic partner in a bid to make a difference in their leadership journey.
“If Africa is serious about changing its development story, then our leaders must embrace continuous learning.
“The OOLI offers the right platform, rooted in African experience, yet globally oriented, to make that happen,” Dangote said.
The industrialist further expressed optimism that the OOLI had the capacity to bridge leadership gaps at continental level, particularly in governance, economic transformation and regional cooperation.
He offered a strong endorsement of the institute’s mission and continental relevance.
“The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute is exactly what Africa needs at this critical time.
“With President Obasanjo and other outstanding African past presidents at its core, the OOLI is uniquely placed to deliver experiential leadership workshops.
“It is also well positioned to offer bespoke training for African leaders, who genuinely want to transform their nations,” Dangote stated.
Responding, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recounted the leadership moment that sparked Africa’s cement revolution.
“Let me share a previously undisclosed account of my early engagement with Dangote during a visit.
“This is an encounter that would later reshape Africa’s industrial landscape.
“I recall inviting Dangote for a meeting while the businessman was still an importer of cement,” he said.
Obasanjo, further explained how he challenged Dangote on why he was importing cement instead of producing it locally, in spite of Nigeria’s abundant limestone deposits.
He noted that Dangote responded by stating that it was more profitable for him to import and sell, than to produce locally.
“Pressing further, I asked the businessman what it would take to get him produce cement locally.
“I wanted to learn from him. I wanted to know what he required, so that I could achieve what Nigeria needed,” Obasanjo said.
According to him, the response of the industrialist became the turning point.
Obasanjo, quoting Dangote, said: “Make cement imports unprofitable and tie import permits to commitments to produce locally.”
Dangote responded, noting that Nigeria’s cement output now exceeds that of Saudi Arabia.
“Today, Nigeria produces more cement than Saudi Arabia. We are the largest producer of cement in Africa and the Middle East,” the businessman stated.
Dangote credited Obasanjo’s strategic leadership for catalysing the shift from trading to manufacturing.
According to him, this is an intervention that now benefits more than 10 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Republic of Congo, among many other beneficiary African nations.
“Obasanjo’s leadership strategic mapping, changed the trajectory of our business.
“That decision has benefitted multiple African economies.
“This is the kind of practical leadership the OOLI can teach to presidents and policymakers,” Dangote said.
Speaking, Prof. Samuel Daramola, Deputy Chief Executive of OOLI, expressed appreciation for Dangote’s endorsement, while acknowledging the refinery’s monumental contribution to Africa’s industrial growth.
Daramola represented the Director of the institute, retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai.
“We appreciate the enormous impact of the Dangote petroleum refinery and the entire conglomerate on Africa’s economy.
“The OOLI’s mandate is clear; to raise leaders who deliver measurable results,” Agwai said.
He noted that the OOLI had assembled a global faculty of distinguished facilitators, diplomats, academics and practitioners, supported by a curriculum designed to strengthen leadership capacity across African nations.
“Our programmes are experiential, practical and grounded in real world leadership challenges.
“With the right curriculum and facilities, the OOLI is ready to support presidents, prime ministers, governors and senior officials, committed to transformational leadership,” he said. (NAN
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