Aliko Dangote Retires as Chairman of Dangote Cement, Emmanuel Ikazoboh Takes Over
Aliko Dangote has stepped down as Chairman of Dangote Cement to focus on other ventures.
His exit marks a leadership shift after transforming the firm into Africa’s cement giant.
Africa’s richest man and industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has stepped down as Chairman and Director of Dangote Cement Plc, with his retirement taking effect on July 25, 2025. The decision allows him to focus more closely on the Dangote Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser business, and Government Relations as the company moves into a new five-year strategic growth phase.
Following his exit, the board has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman. Additionally, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has been named a new board member, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot has retired from the board.
Aliko Dangote leaves behind a strong legacy. Under his leadership, Dangote Cement transformed into Africa’s largest cement producer and the top exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa. He set out with a bold vision: to make Nigeria self-reliant in cement production a goal he not only achieved but surpassed through massive investment in state-of-the-art plants and local supply chains.
Dangote Cement currently operates with a total production capacity of 52 million tonnes per annum (Mta) across Africa, including 35.25 Mta in Nigeria alone. With new plants underway in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0 Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta), the company’s total output is projected to hit 61 Mta by the end of 2025.
Under Dangote’s guidance, the company achieved its highest financial performance to date. In the first half of 2025, unaudited financial results showed group revenue rose by 17.7 percent from ₦1.76 trillion in 2024 to ₦2.07 trillion. EBITDA rose sharply by 41.8 percent to ₦944.9 billion, while Nigeria’s operations alone recorded an 82.4 percent jump in EBITDA to ₦845.4 billion.
Profit before tax more than doubled from ₦292.96 billion to ₦730 billion a 149 percent increase while profit after tax surged by 174.1 percent to ₦520.5 billion. Export volumes from Nigeria also rose by 18.2 percent in the same period, with successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon.
Beyond numbers, Dangote’s impact is evident in the jobs created, infrastructure developed, and confidence built in Africa’s industrial potential. His companies contributed over ₦402 billion in taxes to the Nigerian government in 2024, making the Dangote Group the country’s highest taxpayer.
Incoming Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh expressed gratitude for his appointment and pledged to lead with integrity and vision. He described Dangote Cement as a symbol of African resilience and enterprise, playing a key role in economic growth across the continent.
Outlining his priorities, Ikazoboh said he would focus on operational excellence, cost reduction, innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. He plans to introduce alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions, invest in staff development, and maintain the company’s competitive edge despite rising inflation.
Ikazoboh brings a wealth of experience. He previously served as Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc. and was the Managing Partner of Deloitte for West and Central Africa. In 2010, he was appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to oversee reforms at the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Central Securities Clearing System.
