The Traffic

Aliko Dangote Steps Down as Chairman of Dangote Cement, Emmanuel Ikazoboh Takes Over with Bold Vision for the Future

In a pivotal shift for one of Africa’s industrial giants, Aliko Dangote, the iconic founder of Dangote Cement Plc, has officially stepped down as Chairman and Director of the Board, effective July 25, 2025. The move marks the end of an era—and the beginning of a new chapter for Nigeria’s biggest cement producer.

Dangote’s decision to retire from the board comes as he turns his focus toward the Group’s other strategic ventures—particularly the Dangote Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertilizer operations, and Government Relations—all critical to steering the conglomerate’s next five-year growth trajectory.

A Legacy Cemented in African Industry
Under his leadership, Dangote Cement evolved from a local player into Africa’s largest cement producer, known for self-sufficiency and aggressive expansion. The company now boasts a total installed capacity of 52.0 million tonnes per annum (Mta) across Africa—35.25 Mta of which comes from Nigeria alone.

This capacity is set to rise to 61.0 Mta by year-end with the launch of greenfield plants in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0 Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta).

Record-Breaking Performance
Dangote Cement’s performance under Dangote has been nothing short of extraordinary. For the six months ending June 30, 2025, the company reported:

Revenue: ₦2.07 trillion (up 17.7% from ₦1.76 trillion in 2024)

EBITDA: ₦944.9 billion (up 41.8%)

Profit After Tax: ₦520.5 billion (up 174.1%)

Exports: 18.2% increase in volumes from Nigeria, including 18 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon

The company also led the way in national contributions, paying over ₦402 billion in taxes in 2024—cementing its place as Nigeria’s top taxpayer.

A New Era Begins: Ikazoboh Takes the Helm
The Board has appointed Emmanuel Ikazoboh, a distinguished independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman of Dangote Cement. His credentials include serving as Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., and spearheading capital market reforms during his tenure as Interim Administrator of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and CSCS Plc. in 2010.

Ikazoboh, a seasoned corporate strategist and former Managing Partner at Akintola Williams Deloitte, brings decades of cross-border experience spanning West and Central Africa.

In his acceptance speech, Ikazoboh praised Dangote Cement as a “beacon of African enterprise” and pledged to uphold its tradition of excellence. His strategic agenda includes:

Operational efficiency and cost-cutting to manage inflation

Adoption of alternative fuels to reduce fossil dependence

Strategic expansion across Africa

Sustainability, innovation, and community impact

Investment in human capital development

Board Reshuffle
The company also welcomed Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote to the board, continuing the family’s legacy in the business. At the same time, Prof. Dorothy Ufot officially retired from the board.

With Dangote bowing out of the cement boardroom but doubling down on national-scale energy and industrial projects, and Ikazoboh stepping up with a vision for inclusive and sustainable growth, Dangote Cement looks set to enter a new era—grounded in its solid past but boldly geared for the future.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna