Aliko Dangote, Africa’s most prominent industrialist, has formally announced his retirement as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, ending two decades of trailblazing leadership that redefined Nigeria’s sugar industry and corporate governance landscape. His exit will take effect on June 16, 2025, as confirmed in an official statement issued by Company Secretary, Temitope Hassan.
Dangote, who took over the chairmanship in 2005, spearheaded an aggressive growth strategy that saw Dangote Sugar become Nigeria’s leading integrated sugar company. Under his watch, the company ramped up production capacity, expanded its refining infrastructure, and pioneered large-scale backward integration projects to boost local sugar output and reduce import dependency.
The company’s expansion into Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, through its integrated sugar estates, is one of Dangote’s flagship legacies. These strategic investments were not only aimed at supporting Nigeria’s Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) but also at creating thousands of jobs and reviving rural economies. The NSMP seeks to produce 1.79 million metric tons of sugar annually by 2026.
His exit signals a significant transition for the conglomerate, which recently announced Arnold Ekpe, a former Group CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, as the incoming Chairman. Ekpe, who joined the board as an Independent Non-Executive Director, is expected to bring his wealth of pan-African financial and boardroom experience into guiding Dangote Sugar’s next growth phase.
Ekpe’s appointment followed what the board described as a “rigorous selection and transition process.” He is well-regarded for his leadership in expanding Ecobank’s operations into over 30 African countries and fostering investor confidence during volatile economic cycles. His role at Dangote Sugar will focus on deepening sustainability, improving investor relations, and aligning operations with global ESG standards.
The Board expressed deep gratitude to Dangote for his “unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and national development.” His legacy, they said, is not only in the numbers but in shaping the company into a pillar of Nigeria’s agro-industrial revolution and a consistent leader in corporate citizenship.
Analysts view Dangote’s retirement as a signal of maturing corporate structures within the Dangote Group, where succession planning and boardroom professionalism are increasingly prioritized. Though stepping down from this role, Dangote remains President/CEO of the larger Dangote Industries Limited, which spans sectors including cement, oil refining, and fertilizer.
