Dangote's Daughters Talk About Their Hard Work and Identity

Halima, Fatima, and Mariya, the daughters of billionaire Aliko Dangote, said their rich upbringing did not make them entitled. They pointed out that they still have to work hard to prove themselves to their father.

The sisters shared their thoughts during an interview with Bloomberg Next Africa, and parts of it became popular on Saturday.

They mentioned they prefer to keep their identities and achievements private, especially when meeting people from rich families.

The Dangote sisters also stated they don’t flaunt their family name or their wealth. They emphasized that they did not grow up as spoiled kids.

They said, “We’re not spoiled. Anytime we meet with our co-peers, like the kids of our diaspora friends or people that we’re supposed to, we don’t, I mean, everyone has their own job. We are more, we’re quiet, in the sense that we don’t say who we are. I don’t know if it’s fortunate or unfortunate. Now people recognise us, but it was easier when we weren’t recognised.

“We had to prove ourselves, and we’re still proving ourselves to our father because he’s somebody who expects excellence in everything that you do. So, for him, it’s the best or nothing. So yes, we have to prove ourselves extra hard to him and also prove to others.”

The sisters believe their achievements speak for themselves. They also said they do not enjoy being very active on social media.

They described their online presence as a way to show who they are rather than just seeking attention.

They are also focused on creating more opportunities for women in their father’s company, based on their experiences as women.

“All three of us were not expressive of what we have or what we own or what we’re doing. I think, as Fatima and Maria said, the results speak for themselves, the sale of this business, the profit of this.

“Our growth, we’re growing N100 billion. We are all in those key positions. And I mean, numbers don’t lie. So that’s what I meant. I would say a lot of challenges. First, being that we are daughters.”

They highlighted the demands of their jobs, explaining that their roles come with serious responsibilities.

According to them, being the owner’s daughters does not mean they don’t have to show their skills. They still need to earn the respect of their colleagues, especially in a workplace where women often have to prove themselves more.

“So the first thing anybody would think is, because it’s a right and it’s never a right, it’s a privilege. I think three key things play into our roles. We are young Muslim women. We are from the North, which is not the norm to work all the time.

“And we look younger. I think, according to people, we look younger than our ages. So we have to prove our age, our worth. People would think, “Oh, because we’re daughters, we don’t need to. That’s when you actually need to prove yourself.”