Aliko Dangote - Revision history

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Aliko Dangote		\| name = Aliko Dangote
	\| image =		\| image = Aliko_Dangote_-_World_Economic_Forum_on_Africa_2008.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
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	\| nationality = Nigerian		\| nationality = Nigerian
	\| education = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)		\| education = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)
			\| alma_mater = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)
	\| occupation = Businessman, industrialist, philanthropist		\| occupation = Businessman, industrialist, philanthropist
	\| title = Chairman & CEO of [[Dangote Group]]		\| title = Chairman & CEO of [[Dangote Group]]

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	\| birth_name = Aliko Mohammad Dangote		\| birth_name = Aliko Mohammad Dangote
	\| birth_date = ~~{{Birth date and age\|~~1957~~\|4\|10}}~~		\| birth_date = April 10, 1957
	\| birth_place = [[Kano]], [[Kano State]], [[British Nigeria]]		\| birth_place = [[Kano]], [[Kano State]], [[British Nigeria]]
	\| nationality = Nigerian		\| nationality = Nigerian

Maintenance script: Created comprehensive article: Africa's richest person (.6B), Dangote Group chairman and CEO, cement/oil/sugar magnate, Dangote Refinery ( Africa's largest), 2024 NNPC disputes, GCON recipient, TIME100 Philanthropy 2025, 4 children from 2 marriages

2025-12-08T11:32:16Z

Created comprehensive article: Africa's richest person (.6B), Dangote Group chairman and CEO, cement/oil/sugar magnate, Dangote Refinery ( Africa's largest), 2024 NNPC disputes, GCON recipient, TIME100 Philanthropy 2025, 4 children from 2 marriages

New page

{{Infobox person
| name = Aliko Dangote
| image =
| image_size = 300px
| caption =
| birth_name = Aliko Mohammad Dangote
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|4|10}}
| birth_place = [[Kano]], [[Kano State]], [[British Nigeria]]
| nationality = Nigerian
| education = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)
| occupation = Businessman, industrialist, philanthropist
| title = Chairman & CEO of [[Dangote Group]]
| spouse = Zainab (divorced)<br>Mariya Muhammad Rufai (divorced 2017)
| children = 4 (including adopted son)
| net_worth = US$30.6 billion (November 2025)
| awards = [[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger]] (2011)
}}

'''Aliko Mohammad Dangote''' {{post-nominals|country=NGA|size=100%|GCON}} (born April 10, 1957) is a Nigerian billionaire businessman and industrialist who serves as chairman and chief executive officer of [[Dangote Group]], a [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] with operations in [[cement]], [[sugar]], [[flour]], [[salt]], and [[oil refining]]. He is the wealthiest person in [[Africa]] and the wealthiest [[Black people|Black]] person in the world, with a net worth of approximately US$30.6 billion as of November 2025, according to the [[Bloomberg Billionaires Index]].<ref name="bloomberg-bi">{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/aliko-dangote/ |title=Aliko Dangote |work=Bloomberg Billionaires Index |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref> In 2024, his [[Dangote Refinery]], Africa's largest oil refinery, began commercial operations, making him a major player in the continent's energy sector.

== Early life and family background ==

Aliko Mohammad Dangote was born on April 10, 1957, in [[Kano]], [[Kano State]], in what was then [[British Nigeria]].<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aliko-Dangote |title=Aliko Dangote |encyclopedia=Britannica |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref> His name "Aliko," meaning "the victorious one who defends humanity," was given to him by his maternal grandfather, Sanusi Dantata.<ref name="blackpast">{{cite web |url=https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/dangote-aliko-1957/ |title=Aliko Dangote (1957- ) |work=BlackPast |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Dangote was born into one of West Africa's most prominent merchant families. His mother, Mariya (née Dantata), came from a wealthy trading family and was a businesswoman and philanthropist. His father, Mohammed Dangote, owned a transport company and died in 1965, after which Aliko donated his inheritance to charity.<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliko_Dangote |title=Aliko Dangote |work=Wikipedia |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

His maternal great-grandfather, Alhassan Abdullahi Dantata, was considered the wealthiest person in West Africa until his death in 1955, having built a fortune importing [[kola nut]]s from [[Ghana]] and exporting [[groundnut]]s. Dangote has cited his maternal grandfather, Sanusi Dantata, and maternal uncle, Usman Amaka Dantata, as influential paternal figures in his upbringing.<ref name="thefamouspeople">{{cite web |url=https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/aliko-dangote-35430.php |title=Aliko Dangote Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life of Nigerian Businessman |work=The Famous People |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Dangote had three siblings, all of whom predeceased him: Sani Dangote, a businessman who died of [[colorectal cancer]]; Bello, who died in a 1996 plane crash alongside the son of military ruler [[Sani Abacha]]; and Garba, who died in 2013 following a stroke.<ref name="wikipedia" />

== Education ==

Raised as a [[Muslim]], Dangote received his primary education at Sheikh Ali Kumasi [[Madrasa]] and a public school. He completed his secondary education at Capital High School in Kano and then at Government College, Birnin Kudu, graduating in 1978.<ref name="thefamouspeople" />

Dangote has stated that his entrepreneurial instincts emerged early—at age eight, he sold boiled sugar sweets to his classmates and saved the profits.<ref name="britannica" />

He subsequently studied business at [[Al-Azhar University]], an Islamic institution in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]], completing his studies in 1977.<ref name="blackpast" />

== Career ==

=== Early business ventures ===

Upon returning to Nigeria in 1977, Dangote received a loan of [[Nigerian naira|₦]]500,000 (approximately US$3,000 at the time) from his uncle to start a business trading commodities, primarily [[cement]], [[sugar]], and other food products.<ref name="britannica" />

The business proved successful, and by 1981, Dangote had incorporated several enterprises and established the Dangote Group. During the 1980s and 1990s, business conditions were challenging in Nigeria due to a succession of military governments and [[Coup d'état|coups d'état]] that disrupted the economy.<ref name="blackpast" />

=== Transition to manufacturing ===

A turning point came with the election of [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] as president in 1999, which ushered in a period of democratic governance and economic reform. Dangote seized the opportunity to transition from trading to manufacturing, focusing on producing goods domestically rather than importing them for Nigeria's large consumer market.<ref name="britannica" />

In 2000, the Dangote Group acquired the Benue Cement Company PLC from the Nigerian government. In 2003, the company commissioned the [[Obajana Cement Plant]], which became the largest cement plant in [[sub-Saharan Africa]].<ref name="intelpoint">{{cite web |url=https://intelpoint.co/insights/aliko-dangote-the-richest-man-in-africa-has-a-net-worth-of-23-9-billion-as-of-march-6-2025/ |title=Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa |work=Intelpoint |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Dangote Cement ===

[[Dangote Cement]] is sub-Saharan Africa's largest cement producer. Dangote maintains an 86% ownership stake in the company, which dominates Nigeria's cement market and operates plants across 10 African countries.<ref name="bloomberg-bi" />

The company has been central to Dangote's fortune and to infrastructure development across Africa, supplying cement for construction projects throughout the continent.

=== Dangote Refinery ===

In 2013, Dangote announced plans to build a massive oil refinery in [[Lagos State]] to help address Nigeria's chronic fuel shortages. Despite Nigeria being Africa's largest oil producer, the country had long imported most of its refined petroleum products due to the failure of its state-owned refineries.<ref name="ceotoday-refinery">{{cite web |url=https://www.ceotodaymagazine.com/2024/12/inside-nigerias-oil-war-dangotes-20-billion-refinery-battles-the-oil-mafia-for-economic-supremacy/ |title=Inside Nigeria's Oil War: Dangote's $20 Billion Refinery Battles the "Oil Mafia" for Economic Supremacy |work=CEO Today |date=December 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

After years of delays and cost overruns, the [[Dangote Refinery]] began commercial operations in early 2024. With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, it is the largest single-train refinery in the world and the largest oil refinery in Africa.<ref name="nairametrics-networth">{{cite news |url=https://nairametrics.com/2025/10/24/africas-richest-aliko-dangote-net-worth-hits-30-2-billion-in-2025/ |title=Africa's richest, Aliko Dangote, net worth hits $30.2 billion in 2025 |work=Nairametrics |date=October 24, 2025 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Dangote owns 92.3% of the refinery, which cost approximately US$20 billion to build. The [[Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation]] (NNPC) holds a 7.2% stake, with the remainder held by other investors.<ref name="bloomberg-bi" />

=== Other business interests ===

Beyond cement and oil refining, the Dangote Group operates in multiple sectors:

* '''Fertilizer''': The [[Dangote Fertiliser]] plant has an annual capacity of 2.8 million tonnes of [[urea]], making it one of the largest fertilizer plants in the world.
* '''Sugar''': [[Dangote Sugar Refinery]] Plc is one of Nigeria's largest sugar producers.
* '''Salt''': [[NASCON Allied Industries]] Plc produces salt and seasoning products.
* '''Banking''': Dangote holds a significant stake in [[United Bank for Africa]] (UBA), one of Africa's largest banks.

== Controversies ==

=== NNPC and refinery disputes ===

The Dangote Refinery has been the subject of significant controversy with Nigerian government entities, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).<ref name="bloomberg-dispute">{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-07-23/aliko-dangote-and-nigeria-are-in-dispute-over-his-20-billion-oil-refinery |title=Aliko Dangote and Nigeria Are in Dispute Over His $20 Billion Oil Refinery |work=Bloomberg |date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

In 2024, NMDPRA officials alleged that diesel produced by the Dangote Refinery was of inferior quality compared to imports. Dangote vigorously disputed these claims, presenting laboratory tests showing his refinery's diesel had a sulfur content of 87.6 parts per million (ppm), compared to over 1,800 ppm in some imported products. During a tour by members of Nigeria's [[House of Representatives (Nigeria)|House of Representatives]], Dangote challenged regulators to conduct impartial quality comparisons.<ref name="nairametrics-quality">{{cite news |url=https://nairametrics.com/2024/07/22/dangote-refinery-non-availability-of-crude-oil-to-domestic-refineries-affecting-fuel-quality-in-nigeria-lawmakers/ |title=Dangote Refinery: 'Non-availability of crude oil' to domestic refineries affecting fuel quality in Nigeria - Lawmakers |work=Nairametrics |date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Monopoly allegations ===

Dangote was labeled a monopolist by critics who argued his dominance in multiple sectors was anti-competitive. In response, he offered to sell the refinery to NNPC, stating: "Let them buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labeled me a monopolist. That's an incorrect and unfair allegation."<ref name="sahara-monopoly">{{cite news |url=https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/22/africas-richest-man-aliko-dangote-offers-sell-650000-bpd-refinery-nigerias-nnpc-amid |title=Africa's Richest Man Aliko Dangote Offers To Sell 650,000 BPD Refinery To Nigeria's NNPC Amid Monopoly Allegations |work=Sahara Reporters |date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== "Oil mafia" allegations ===

Dangote has publicly alleged that vested interests in Nigeria's oil sector have worked to undermine his refinery project. At an investment conference in June 2024, he stated: "I knew there would be a fight, but I didn't expect the oil mafia to be stronger than the drug mafia."<ref name="ceotoday-refinery" />

The dispute touched on broader issues in Nigeria's oil sector, including a scandal involving substandard petroleum products imported from Malta-based blending operations. Tests showed some imported diesel had sulfur concentrations far exceeding regulatory standards.<ref name="ceotoday-refinery" />

=== EFCC investigation ===

In January 2024, officials from Nigeria's [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] (EFCC) raided the Dangote Group's Lagos headquarters as part of an investigation into the [[Central Bank of Nigeria]]'s allocation of foreign currency to companies. The Dangote Group characterized the visit as "designed to cause us unwarranted embarrassment."<ref name="semafor">{{cite news |url=https://www.semafor.com/article/07/25/2024/africas-richest-man-scrambles-to-calm-brewing-crisis-around-20-billion-refinery |title=Aliko Dangote scrambles to calm crisis around $20 billion refinery |work=Semafor |date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==

=== Aliko Dangote Foundation ===

In 1994, Dangote established the Dangote Foundation for his philanthropic activities; it was renamed the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) in 2018.<ref name="devex">{{cite web |url=https://www.devex.com/organizations/dangote-foundation-8101 |title=Dangote Foundation |work=Devex |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

In 2014, Dangote endowed the foundation with US$1.25 billion, with the stated aim of giving back to Africa. The foundation spends approximately US$35 million annually on programs across the continent.<ref name="time100">{{cite web |url=https://time.com/collections/time100-philanthropy-2025/7286071/aliko-dangote/ |title=TIME100 Philanthropy: Aliko Dangote |work=TIME |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Key foundation initiatives include:

* A US$100 million multi-year program to treat children with severe [[malnutrition]]
* A partnership with the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] and others on a vaccine program that contributed to the [[World Health Organization]]'s 2020 declaration that [[polio]] had been eradicated from Africa—Nigeria being the last country to achieve this milestone
* Distribution of more than one million bags of rice throughout Nigeria in 2024 and 2025
* A US$10 million donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano State

=== Recognition ===

In 2025, Dangote was named to the inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognizing the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy worldwide. He was the only Nigerian on the list.<ref name="arise-time100">{{cite news |url=https://www.arise.tv/aliko-dangote-named-on-inaugural-2025-time100-philanthropy-list-as-only-nigerian-honouree/ |title=Aliko Dangote Named on Inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy List as Only Nigerian Honouree |work=Arise News |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Awards and honors ==

Dangote has received numerous national and international honors:

* '''[[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger]]''' (GCON, 2011) – Nigeria's second-highest civilian honor, awarded by President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]. Dangote was the first non-government official to receive the distinction.<ref name="one-org">{{cite web |url=https://www.one.org/us/person/aliko-dangote/ |title=Aliko Dangote |work=ONE.org |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Time 100]]''' (2014) – Listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world
* '''Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin''' – [[Benin]]'s highest national accolade
* '''Commander of the National Order of Valour''' – [[Cameroon]]'s highest civilian honor
* '''Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger''' – From the [[Niger|Republic of Niger]]

== Personal life ==

Dangote has been married twice. In 1977, at age 20, he married his first wife, Zainab, in an [[arranged marriage]] in accordance with local customs. The couple had two daughters—Mariya and Halima—before divorcing at an unspecified date.<ref name="buzznigeria">{{cite web |url=https://buzznigeria.com/facts-didnt-know-aliko-dangote/ |title=Meet Aliko Dangote's Wife and Children |work=BuzzNigeria |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

He later married Mariya Muhammad Rufai, daughter of a former Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Human Services. They had one daughter, Fatima, before divorcing in 2017. As of 2025, Dangote is not married.<ref name="dnbstories">{{cite web |url=https://dnbstories.com/2022/05/full-details-of-aliko-dangotes-marriage-wife-children.html |title=Full details of Aliko Dangote's marriage, wife and children |work=DNB Stories Africa |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Dangote has four children: three biological daughters and an adopted son named Abdulrahman Fasasi. He also has five grandchildren.<ref name="wikipedia" />

His children include:
* '''Mariya Dangote''': First daughter, holds a Master's degree from [[Coventry University]]; maintains a low profile
* '''[[Halima Dangote]]''': Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Group; graduated from [[American Intercontinental University]] London with a bachelor's degree in marketing and holds an MBA from Webster Graduate School; married to Sulaiman Sani Bello with two daughters
* '''Fatima Dangote''': Graduated from the [[University of Surrey]] with a law degree; member of the [[Nigerian Bar Association]]; Special Assistant to the Managing Director at Dangote Cement; her 2018 wedding was attended by global figures including [[Bill Gates]]

Dangote is known for maintaining privacy regarding his personal life.<ref name="dnbstories" />

== Net worth ==

As of November 2025, the [[Bloomberg Billionaires Index]] estimates Dangote's net worth at US$30.6 billion, making him the wealthiest person in Africa for the 14th consecutive year and the wealthiest Black person in the world.<ref name="urbangeekz">{{cite news |url=https://urbangeekz.com/2025/10/aliko-dangote-african-30-billion/ |title=Nigerian Aliko Dangote Becomes First Black Billionaire to Hit $30B Net Worth |work=UrbanGeekz |date=October 2025 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

His wealth is derived primarily from:
* 86% stake in [[Dangote Cement]] Plc
* 92.3% stake in [[Dangote Refinery]], valued at approximately US$18.6 billion based on construction costs
* Stakes in Dangote Sugar Refinery, NASCON Allied Industries, and United Bank for Africa
* The Dangote Fertiliser plant

Dangote's net worth increased by approximately 72% in early 2025 as the refinery began full operations, rising from approximately US$13.9 billion in early 2024.<ref name="furtherafrica">{{cite web |url=https://furtherafrica.com/2025/02/21/aliko-dangotes-net-worth-hits-23-9b-as-mega-refinery-transforms-africa/ |title=Aliko Dangote's Net Worth Hits $23.9B as Mega Refinery Transforms Africa |work=Further Africa |date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.dangote.com/ Dangote Group official website]
* [https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/aliko-dangote/ Bloomberg Billionaires profile]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dangote, Aliko}}
[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Nigerian billionaires]]
[[Category:Nigerian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Nigerian Muslims]]
[[Category:Al-Azhar University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Kano]]
[[Category:Hausa people]]
[[Category:Nigerian philanthropists]]
[[Category:Grand Commanders of the Order of the Niger]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:48, 22 December 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Aliko Dangote		\| name = Aliko Dangote
	\| image = Aliko_Dangote_-_World_Economic_Forum_on_Africa_2008.jpg		\| image = Aliko_Dangote_-_World_Economic_Forum_on_Africa_2008.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = Aliko Mohammad Dangote		\| birth_name = Aliko Mohammad Dangote
	\| birth_date = April 10, 1957		\| birth_date = April 10, 1957
	\| birth_place = [[Kano]], [[Kano State]], [[British Nigeria]]		\| birth_place = [[Kano]], [[Kano State]], [[British Nigeria]]
	\| nationality = Nigerian		\| nationality = Nigerian
	\| education = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)		\| education = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)
	\| alma_mater = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)		\| alma_mater = [[Al-Azhar University]] (Business Studies)
	\| occupation = Businessman, industrialist, philanthropist		\| occupation = Businessman, industrialist, philanthropist
	\| title = Chairman & CEO of [[Dangote Group]]		\| title = Chairman & CEO of [[Dangote Group]]
	\| spouse = Zainab (divorced)<br>Mariya Muhammad Rufai (divorced 2017)		\| spouse = Zainab (divorced)<br>Mariya Muhammad Rufai (divorced 2017)
	\| children = 4 (including adopted son)		\| children = 4 (including adopted son)
	\| net_worth = US$30.6 billion (November 2025)		\| net_worth = US$30.6 billion (November 2025)
	\| awards = [[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger]] (2011)		\| awards = [[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger]] (2011)
	}}		}}

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	Raised as a [[Muslim]], Dangote received his primary education at Sheikh Ali Kumasi [[Madrasa]] and a public school. He completed his secondary education at Capital High School in Kano and then at Government College, Birnin Kudu, graduating in 1978.<ref name="thefamouspeople" />		Raised as a [[Muslim]], Dangote received his primary education at Sheikh Ali Kumasi [[Madrasa]] and a public school. He completed his secondary education at Capital High School in Kano and then at Government College, Birnin Kudu, graduating in 1978.<ref name="thefamouspeople" />

	Dangote has stated that his entrepreneurial instincts emerged ~~early—at~~ age eight, he sold boiled sugar sweets to his classmates and saved the profits.<ref name="britannica" />		Dangote has stated that his entrepreneurial instincts emerged early - at age eight, he sold boiled sugar sweets to his classmates and saved the profits.<ref name="britannica" />

	He subsequently studied business at [[Al-Azhar University]], an Islamic institution in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]], completing his studies in 1977.<ref name="blackpast" />		He subsequently studied business at [[Al-Azhar University]], an Islamic institution in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]], completing his studies in 1977.<ref name="blackpast" />
Line 108:		Line 108:

	* A US$100 million multi-year program to treat children with severe [[malnutrition]]		* A US$100 million multi-year program to treat children with severe [[malnutrition]]
	* A partnership with the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] and others on a vaccine program that contributed to the [[World Health Organization]]'s 2020 declaration that [[polio]] had been eradicated from ~~Africa—Nigeria~~ being the last country to achieve this milestone		* A partnership with the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] and others on a vaccine program that contributed to the [[World Health Organization]]'s 2020 declaration that [[polio]] had been eradicated from Africa - Nigeria being the last country to achieve this milestone
	* Distribution of more than one million bags of rice throughout Nigeria in 2024 and 2025		* Distribution of more than one million bags of rice throughout Nigeria in 2024 and 2025
	* A US$10 million donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano State		* A US$10 million donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano State
Line 120:		Line 120:
	Dangote has received numerous national and international honors:		Dangote has received numerous national and international honors:

	* '''[[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger]]''' (GCON, 2011) – Nigeria's second-highest civilian honor, awarded by President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]. Dangote was the first non-government official to receive the distinction.<ref name="one-org">{{cite web \|url=https://www.one.org/us/person/aliko-dangote/ \|title=Aliko Dangote \|work=ONE.org \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		* '''[[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger]]''' (GCON, 2011) - Nigeria's second-highest civilian honor, awarded by President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]. Dangote was the first non-government official to receive the distinction.<ref name="one-org">{{cite web \|url=https://www.one.org/us/person/aliko-dangote/ \|title=Aliko Dangote \|work=ONE.org \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>
	* '''[[Time 100]]''' (2014) – Listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world		* '''[[Time 100]]''' (2014) - Listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world
	* '''Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin''' – [[Benin]]'s highest national accolade		* '''Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin''' - [[Benin]]'s highest national accolade
	* '''Commander of the National Order of Valour''' – [[Cameroon]]'s highest civilian honor		* '''Commander of the National Order of Valour''' - [[Cameroon]]'s highest civilian honor
	* '''Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger''' – From the [[Niger\|Republic of Niger]]		* '''Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger''' - From the [[Niger\|Republic of Niger]]

	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==

	Dangote has been married twice. In 1977, at age 20, he married his first wife, Zainab, in an [[arranged marriage]] in accordance with local customs. The couple had two ~~daughters—Mariya~~ and ~~Halima—before~~ divorcing at an unspecified date.<ref name="buzznigeria">{{cite web \|url=https://buzznigeria.com/facts-didnt-know-aliko-dangote/ \|title=Meet Aliko Dangote's Wife and Children \|work=BuzzNigeria \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		Dangote has been married twice. In 1977, at age 20, he married his first wife, Zainab, in an [[arranged marriage]] in accordance with local customs. The couple had two daughters - Mariya and Halima - before divorcing at an unspecified date.<ref name="buzznigeria">{{cite web \|url=https://buzznigeria.com/facts-didnt-know-aliko-dangote/ \|title=Meet Aliko Dangote's Wife and Children \|work=BuzzNigeria \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

	He later married Mariya Muhammad Rufai, daughter of a former Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Human Services. They had one daughter, Fatima, before divorcing in 2017. As of 2025, Dangote is not married.<ref name="dnbstories">{{cite web \|url=https://dnbstories.com/2022/05/full-details-of-aliko-dangotes-marriage-wife-children.html \|title=Full details of Aliko Dangote's marriage, wife and children \|work=DNB Stories Africa \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		He later married Mariya Muhammad Rufai, daughter of a former Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Human Services. They had one daughter, Fatima, before divorcing in 2017. As of 2025, Dangote is not married.<ref name="dnbstories">{{cite web \|url=https://dnbstories.com/2022/05/full-details-of-aliko-dangotes-marriage-wife-children.html \|title=Full details of Aliko Dangote's marriage, wife and children \|work=DNB Stories Africa \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>