Tolu Ogunlesi, former Special Assistant on Digital and New Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has weighed in on a humorous incident involving Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The moment that sparked conversation occurred when Dangote while welcoming President Tinubu at the Dangote refinery and petrochemical complex, corrected the event’s master of ceremonies who had addressed him as “President” in the presence of the Nigerian leader.
In a viral video, Dangote quipped, “Mr MC, for your attention, next time when Mr President is around, my own title is chairman. Whether with the small P, don’t call me President. I am sorry sir, he called me president. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Your Excellency on your visit to the Dangote refinery and petrochemical complex.”
Responding to this on X (formerly Twitter), Ogunlesi highlighted that while the comment was humorous, it also reflected a deeper philosophy guiding Dangote’s approach to authority and governance.
He shared a piece of advice Dangote reportedly received from his grandfather, once the richest man in West Africa: “No matter what you do, you must always respect the authority of the day. Do not fight the government. You must be an obedient person. And that’s something I learnt and took seriously.”
This, Ogunlesi suggested, sheds light on Dangote’s respect for the current administration and his pragmatic stance in business and politics.
The exchange took place against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s official visit to inaugurate key infrastructure projects at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, a strategic hub boosting Nigeria’s maritime trade and economic prospects.
