Dangote Cement announces new chairman as Aliko Dangote bows out
The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced his retirement as Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dangote Cement, effective July 25, 2025.
In a statement released on Friday by Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote explained that he is stepping down to focus on the $20 billion refinery, petrochemicals, fertilizer, and government relations projects. This decision will steer the company’s five-year business trajectory toward greater heights.
“The board of Dangote Cement has appointed Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors,” the statement detailed. It also noted the appointment of Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote to the Board, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot will retire from her position.
As Dangote prepares to bid farewell, the board remarked that he has left “giant footprints” in the industry. “His vision and tenacity not only transformed a company but also the entire cement landscape, establishing Africa’s largest cement producer and exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the statement lauded.
Dangote’s journey in the cement sector began with a vision to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through significant investments in modern plants and a dedication to local production, he has achieved this goal and exceeded expectations. Currently, Dangote Cement boasts a capacity of 52Mta across the continent, with Nigeria contributing 35.25Mta. The company is set to push total capacity to 61Mta with new plants in Côte d’Ivoire and Itori, Nigeria.
Under Dangote’s leadership, the company recorded record revenue growth. “According to the unaudited results for the six months ending June 30, 2025, group revenue rose by 17.7 percent, from N1.76 trillion to N2.07 trillion, representing the highest revenue in the company’s history,” the statement noted.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, expressed his profound honor at assuming the role. He pledged to maintain high standards of leadership and dedication, describing Dangote Cement as a “beacon of African enterprise, showcasing resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.”
Ikazoboh has an impressive background, having previously served as the Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc. He began his career at Akintola Williams Deloitte and eventually became the Managing Partner for francophone offices in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, and later for West and Central Africa.
This leadership transition marks a critical moment for Dangote Cement as it continues to solidify its position at the forefront of the African cement industry.
Source: PUNCH
