Dangote Says Male Heir Not Priority, Backs Three Daughters to Preserve Legacy

By Adedapo Adesanya

Africa’s richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, has said having a male heir is not a priority for him, expressing confidence that his three daughters can preserve and carry forward the family’s legacy.

Mr Dangote said this during an exclusive interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show with Ojy Okpe while responding to questions about the cultural expectation in Kano society that wealthy families should have a male child to carry on the family name.

The 69-year-old businessman said he believes such matters are ultimately controlled by God, adding that having a son does not automatically guarantee the continuation of a family legacy.

“Right now, that one is not really my priority,” Mr Dangote said.

“Today, as we speak, God controls everything. Sometimes, you can pray for a son, but that son might be the one to bring the family name down,” he remarked.

The billionaire said people should not force what God has not given them, adding that his daughters had already shown qualities that gave him confidence in their ability to carry on his work.

“Sometimes, when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push [for it]. I don’t think a son would have done better than the three daughters that I have,” he said.

Mr Dangote’s comments came shortly after he launched the public offering of shares in Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, a move he described as an opportunity for Nigerians to participate in one of Africa’s biggest industrial projects.

The business mogul has three daughters – Mariya, Halima, and Fatima – and in recent months, they have been given core roles in their father’s enterprises.

The eldest daughter, Ms Mariya Dangote, was appointed to the board of the cement unit when her father retired in July 2025, and has now been tipped to lead the commercial strategy for that business as well as the group’s food operations across all markets.

Ms Halima Dangote, the middle daughter, already runs the family office in Dubai, and will use her experience to consolidate the company’s London operations and support the company’s international activities.

Ms Fatima Dangote, his youngest child, assumed a commercial leadership role in the energy business, which includes the 700,000-barrels per day Lagos refinery, while continuing to oversee Dangote Group’s corporate communications and administration.