Why I’m Not Bothered About Having A Male Heir – Dangote 

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has said he does not believe having a male child would have made a difference to the success he has achieved with his three daughters.

Dangote stated this in an exclusive interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, where he also disclosed that having a son is not a priority for him, stressing that people should not force things when God does not provide them.

The billionaire businessman was responding to a question on the traditional expectation in Kano society for a male heir to carry on a family name and legacy.

He said, “I don’t think the son would have done better than these three daughters that I have.”

According to him, although having a son could be something people pray for, there was no guarantee that a male child would necessarily preserve or advance a family’s legacy.

“Sometimes, you can pray for God to give you a son, but that son might be the one that will take the name of the family down. So sometimes when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push,” he said.

Dangote described his three daughters as being deeply interested in business, noting that he was not forcing them to join the family business.

He expressed confidence that one or two of them could eventually take over the leadership of the Dangote Group.

“I’m watching all of them, but I can see definitely one or two of them that can actually lead. Any one of them that can lead this, I was given that opportunity,” he said.

The businessman said the opportunity to own and manage the company had enabled him to take risks that a professional manager might ordinarily avoid.

He cited the establishment of the Dangote Refinery as an example, explaining that an owner-manager could take significant risks because they could personally bear the consequences.

“There are two different things. One is that an owner-manager can take more risk than a professional manager,” Dangote said.

He added that the refinery project was an undertaking that a professional manager might have been reluctant to pursue because of the enormous risks involved.

Dangote also said his daughters’ interest in the business was genuine, stressing that they were not being compelled to work for the family company.

“They are very, very interested in the business, which is very important. I’m not forcing them to come and be part of this business. They are very interested in business. They enjoy it,” he said.

The billionaire said he had always regarded his work as a hobby rather than merely a means of earning money, urging his daughters to approach the business in a similar manner.

“It’s not really, there’s no focus on money. This is not about money,” he said.

Dangote, who has previously spoken about his intention to give away part of his wealth during his lifetime, also disclosed that an agreement had been signed to allocate one-third of his wealth to the Dangote Foundation.

He said the foundation would be responsible for channeling the funds towards helping people.

“It’s a paper which we have signed an agreement that in case anything, because I won’t live forever, but whatever it is today, and whatever it is tomorrow, whatever is going to keep growing, one third is belonging to Dangote Foundation,” he said.

Dangote also spoke about his personal lifestyle, describing himself and his family as down-to-earth and saying they did not have extravagant needs.

He revealed that he had lived in the same house for 36 years and had no immediate plans to leave.

“I don’t plan on leaving. I’m very comfortable here,” he said.

The businessman added that he found it difficult to leave his home after returning from work because of how comfortable he was there.