Dangote Reveals He Bought His First Private Jet at 22

Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, has revealed that he acquired his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half.

Dangote made the disclosure on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos during the formal launch of the Initial Public Offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.

Reflecting on his journey as a businessman, Dangote said he had enjoyed his career but now places greater importance on directing wealth towards productive investments.

“My career as a businessman, I really had a great time. I was telling somebody that right now I don’t mind, I can take commercial, I can take anything. I had my first private jet at 22 and a half years old,” he said.

The billionaire businessman also urged wealthy Nigerians who own expensive private aircraft to consider investing more of their resources in businesses and other productive ventures that can contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

Dangote argued that the country cannot achieve its full economic potential without increased investment in production and other sectors capable of creating wealth, jobs and economic value.

“I try as much as I can to encourage people who are riding $900 million aircraft to please go and put that into production. We are not going to be a great nation without doing something productive,” Dangote said.

His comments came as Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals formally launched its IPO on the Nigerian Exchange, marking another major development in the company’s efforts to broaden investment participation in the business.

The billionaire’s remarks also highlighted his current emphasis on productive investment, as he encouraged wealthy Nigerians to channel more capital into ventures that can support the country’s economic growth.

I Had My First Private Jet at 22, But Now I Can Even Fly Commercial. I had to spend 30 minutes to get a parking space at Abuja airport because of the number of private jets at the airport and I wish they were factories

~ Billionaire Aliko Dangote says pic.twitter.com/0cByohNxPY

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) September 14, 2026