…Emmanuel Ikazoboh Appointed Chairman
Africa’s richest man and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has officially stepped down as Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. The decision, effective 25 July 2025, marks the end of an era for the cement giant and signals a renewed focus by the business magnate on his refinery, petrochemical, and fertiliser ventures.
The announcement was made in a statement on Friday by Mr Anthony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Communications Officer of the Dangote Group. According to the statement, Dangote’s retirement is part of a strategic shift to consolidate efforts around the operations of the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Refinery and other critical sectors under the Group’s expanding portfolio.
“Foremost entrepreneur and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 25, 2025,” Chiejina said.
“He is relinquishing his position as chairman and retiring from the board so as to focus more attention on the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Government Relations, in order to drive the company’s five-year business trajectory to a superlative height.”
New Leadership Takes Over at Dangote Cement
Following Dangote’s exit, the Board has announced the appointment of Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman of the Board.
In a related development, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has been named a new board member, while Prof Dorothy Ufot, also an independent non-executive director, has retired from the board.
Ikazoboh, a respected corporate executive and former Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., brings decades of experience in financial services and governance. His professional journey began at Akintola Williams Deloitte, rising through the ranks to become managing partner in West and Central Africa before taking on high-profile reform roles within Nigeria’s capital market.
Chiejina described Dangote’s retirement as the close of a visionary chapter that transformed Nigeria’s cement industry and redefined Africa’s industrial capability.
“Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants, and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it,” he stated.
Record-Breaking Performance and Lasting Legacy
Under Dangote’s leadership, Dangote Cement Plc has grown into Africa’s largest cement producer, with a total installed capacity of 52.0 million tonnes per annum (Mta) across the continent, with 35.25 Mta in Nigeria alone. Ongoing projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Itori, Ogun State, are expected to raise total capacity to 61.0 Mta by year-end.
Chiejina also revealed that the company recorded its highest revenue and earnings in history during the first half of 2025. Group revenue climbed by 17.7% to ₦2.07 trillion from ₦1.76 trillion in the same period in 2024. Group EBITDA surged by 41.8% to ₦944.9 billion, with Nigeria operations alone contributing ₦845.4 billion—an increase of 82.4%.
Profit before tax soared by 149%, reaching ₦730 billion from ₦292.96 billion, while profit after tax rose by 174.1% to ₦520.5 billion from ₦189.9 billion year-on-year.
Cement exports also rose by 18.2% in the first six months of 2025, with 18 successful clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon.
“Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential,” Chiejina said.
“He has proven that Africa can produce, compete, and lead on the global stage. It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over ₦402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.”
Ikazoboh to Champion Cost Reduction and Sustainability
In his acceptance remarks, Mr Ikazoboh expressed appreciation for the opportunity and pledged to uphold the legacy of excellence at Dangote Cement.
“I am honoured to accept this role,” he said, while promising to implement robust cost-reduction strategies to cushion the impact of inflation and enhance market competitiveness.
He further outlined plans to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels and innovative technologies aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening environmental sustainability.
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