“Having A Male Heir Is Not My Priority” – Dangote Says His Three Daughters Can Take Over Business Empire

• Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that having a male heir to inherit his business empire is not a priority for him.
• The billionaire said his three daughters, Halima, Fatima and Mariya, are capable of taking over the business and could even surpass his achievements.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said having a son to inherit his business empire is not a priority, noting that his three daughters are capable of taking over the company in the future.

Dangote made the statement during a chat with Arise TV after he was asked whether he still considers having a male child, especially given traditional expectations surrounding male heirs in Kano, his home state.

The 69-year-old businessman said he believes children should not be valued based on gender and warned against forcing something simply because of societal expectations.

“God controls everything. And for me, really, sometimes, yeah, you can pray for God to give you a son, but that son might be the one that would tear down the name of the family. So sometimes when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push.

Even if I had a son, I don’t think the son would have done better than these three daughters that I have.”

Asked whether he could see any of his daughters eventually taking charge of the Dangote Group, he said one of them could lead the business.

“I think, yes, I can see one of them. I’ve been watching all of them, so I can definitely see one of the three that can actually lead.

They are very, very interested in the business. I’m not forcing them to come and be part of this business, no. They are very interested, and they enjoy it,” he said.

Dangote added that he believes his daughters have the potential to surpass what he has achieved and take the company to a higher level.

His comments have sparked reactions online, particularly over the question of whether he still wants a son, with several Nigerians criticising the interviewer for bringing up the issue.

@folarin_osuola: Maybe she in indirectly advertising herself to carry IVF pregnancy for Dangote and give him a male child.

@oglily74: Does she want to birthday a son for him? What sort of rubbish question is this?

@ola_venom: He sweet me as the question dey pain some girls 😂😂😂

@Adazefavour: Seriously. Why would you even ask this?

@thatgonnerboy: What kinda question is this?????? In big 2026

@TheChairmanGCFR: What stupid question. I’ve seen Ojy ask very stupid questions lately. First to Obi, now to dangote?

@chibukondionyen: I don’t know what gave the lady the Audacity to ask such a lame, dumb and very personal question. A supposedly trained journalist. He already told you that his daughters are part of his business. Why ask such question?

@CGOnuks: @OjyOkpe ask some cringe worthy questions sonetimes. Samething she did when she asked Peter Obi questions regarding the Biafran war.

@sayekenejor: she’s a woman, shouldn’t she be championing the fact that legacy carriage shouldn’t be gendered? this is so weird .

@MayowaMula: Why would she ask this ?!

@EddyPonga28048: Very stupid question coming from a woman for that matter.