Aliko Dangote to Feature on Isbae U's Podcast

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has agreed to be on comedian Adebayo “Isbae U” Abidemi’s show, “Curiously Made Me Ask”. This popular YouTube talk show is known for its candid and lively interviews.

The show has welcomed many famous Nigerians, like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and veteran actors Richard “RMD” Mofe-Damijo and Pete Edochie.

Dangote, who is the head of Dangote Industries Limited, accepted the invite after Isbae U asked to visit the Dangote Refinery in Lagos on Monday. This visit was part of an event called “Vision 2030”.

In a video that went viral on Tuesday, Isbae U shared why he wanted Dangote on his show. He pointed out that many of Dangote’s past interviews were on platforms that don’t attract young Nigerians.

Isbae U mentioned that young people are a key audience for Dangote’s businesses. He encouraged the billionaire to join his show, which appeals to younger viewers interested in his investments and future plans.

“Most of the interviews we’ve seen you have been on platforms that my generation don’t watch. I don’t want to mention names so that they won’t sue me, but you know what I mean. Ironically, we youths are interested in investing in your company, buying its IPO, and giving it a platform.

“So, my question is this: I’m not saying you should sack your media team. I really think it’s high time we had the man with the biggest refinery on the biggest show on YouTube in the world, Curiosity Made Me Ask. So, when do you think we can have you on the show, sir?”

Acceptance

Mr Dangote responded positively to Isbae U’s invitation. He said he was open to sharing his journey to success.

He expressed that he enjoys discussing how he achieved his success. He hopes that sharing his story will motivate people to remain humble regardless of their achievements.

“I promise you, you’ll see a great change from today. We’ll come to Curiosity Made Me Ask. I always tell people that, look, today, if you take me anywhere, I don’t want to give an example of a prison, but if you take me to the worst hotel, I can sleep. I can have my shower. I can live. So because life is about simplicity, make sure that, look, don’t take yourself up there. I have a friend; the prime minister of Ethiopia.

“You know what he said to me? He said, Aliko, I’ve been a prime minister for the last eight years. I have never, ever used a driver. We went with the people who went with us to launch the fertiliser plant. I don’t know if anyone here was there. You know who drove him there? Because I said, you don’t have a driver. He said, yes, but you know, this is my driver. It was his wife driving him,” he said.

The youth

Mr Dangote called for better interaction between generations. He believes these discussions can help older Nigerians share their experiences and find ways to improve the country.

He is worried that many young people do not know much about Nigeria’s political history and past leaders.

“I think, honestly, the future that we have is actually you, the youth. Our generation, really, is not doing very well for Nigeria or Africa. That’s the truth. So we need to sit down with some of you and discuss our experience, because if you look at it, 70% of Nigerians today didn’t know anything about Shagari, for example.

“They didn’t know anything, maybe, because Obasanjo came back. In the future, this sort of audience is the audience that we, somebody like me, should actually face, because it is also the audience that gives me the most support and respect. When I travel abroad to escape, the biggest job people around me always do is take pictures. I always say, 'No, allow them,'” said Mr Dangote.

Mr Dangote noted that young people still hold him in high regard and support him, even when he travels out of Nigeria.

Experience

He mentioned that his team sometimes tries to stop people from taking pictures with him, but he likes to make time for those who want to.

Thinking back to his childhood, Dangote remembered a trip to Washington with his grandfather. They met important people and asked to take photographs with them.

He said this memory has influenced his decision to allow people to take pictures with him, no matter how high he has risen.

The businessman also responded to claims that a photo of him posted online was meant to attract more blessings.

“When I was young, my late grandfather was in Washington, and we saw this guy who had this thing they called a low boat. We saw him. The next person we saw was Muhammad Ali. One day, he said, 'Please, can we take pictures?' He hugged us, and we took pictures. So, why shouldn’t I take pictures with people? Even if they tell me not to, I say it is the right thing to do. You’ve seen where I am today. I never expected to be where I am now.

“People don’t really know my story. I saw someone take my picture and post it on social media, asking, ‘What is this Dangote begging for?’ What I was saying was, ‘God, you have blessed me beyond measure. Even if I were the only person you created, you would have done more than enough for me.’ It is not about asking for more, but about thanking God for what He has done for me,” Mr Dangote stated.