Aliko Dangote, one of the world’s most prominent businessmen, has sparked reactions online after speaking about the possibility of having a male child to carry on his family name and legacy.
The 69-year-old billionaire has three daughters, Mariya, Fatima and Halima Dangote, but does not have a male child.
Dangote has involved his daughters in the family business, with the three holding senior positions within the Dangote Group as part of the company’s broader succession and growth plans.
However, during a recent interview with Arise TV journalist Ojy Okpe, Dangote was asked about the traditional expectation in Kano society for a male heir to continue the family name and legacy.
Ojy Okpe asked Dangote if he still hoped to have a son, considering his age and the cultural expectations surrounding male heirs.
Responding, Dangote made it clear that having a male child is not a priority for him.
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The billionaire explained that while people may pray for a son, there is no guarantee that such a child would eventually protect or advance the family’s name and legacy.
He noted that a son could even become the person who damages the family’s reputation, adding that people should accept what God gives them rather than force a particular outcome.
Dangote also expressed confidence in his three daughters, saying he does not believe a male child would necessarily have done better than them.
He said: “That one, I think you know, it is not my priority. Let me say it bluntly, it is not really my priority because today, as we speak, God controls everything.
“And for me, sometimes you can pray for God to give you a son, but that son might be the one that will take the family name down. So sometimes when God does not give you something, don’t push. I don’t think the son would have done better than these three daughters that I have.”
Mariya Aliko Dangote serves as the Group Executive Director of Commercial Operations for the Cement & Foods Businesses at the Dangote Group. As the eldest daughter of billionaire founder Aliko Dangote, her leadership positions are central to the conglomerate’s long-term succession and growth strategy
Ms. Fatima Aliko-Dangote is currently the Group Executive Director of Dangote Industries Limited, in charge of Group Commercial Operations – Oil & Gas, providing commercial leadership across the energy businesses including the Dangote Refinery &Petrochemicals, Dangote Fertiiser and West Affrica Exploration & Production, Upstream. She also continues to oversee the activities of the Group’s Branding & Communications, Strategic Procurement, and the general administration of the Group. She is also responsible for commercial operations across the Dangote Business units.
Halima Aliko-Dangote serves as the Executive Director of the Dangote Family Office and International Offices, with offices in Dubai and London. In this role, she oversees the Dangote family’s global investments, wealth strategy and expansion across international markets beyond Africa. She also serves as a Group Executive Director at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), the parent company of the Dangote Group, where she has played a key role in group-wide decision-making and operational oversight since 2019.
On April 20, 2026, Aliko Dangote, released an official statement announcing the appointment of his son-in-law, Jamil Mohammed Abubakar, as Managing Director of Infrastructure & Logistics at the Dangote Group.
Abubakar is married to Fatimah Dangote. Their high-profile wedding in 2018 was held across multiple cities, including Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos, with a grand finale at Eko Hotel & Suites on March 23, 2018. The union also links him to his father, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.
