Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has showered praise on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “visionary leadership that has transformed Nigeria’s coastal landscape and infrastructure,” in a powerful open letter released July 9, 2025. The billionaire industrialist lauded Tinubu’s strategic foresight behind major projects such as the Eko Atlantic City and the newly launched Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways.
Dangote highlighted the reclamation of Bar Beach in Victoria Island as a turning point in Nigeria’s battle against coastal flooding. He praised the President’s initiative to convert a formerly disaster-prone zone into the ultra-modern Eko Atlantic City—protected by an 8.5km sea wall and now serving as a thriving residential, commercial, and diplomatic hub. According to Dangote, this transformation mirrors Dutch ingenuity in water management and stands as a global model of climate resilience.
The tycoon commended Tinubu for consistently tackling flooding in high-density areas of Lagos, including Ahmadu Bello Way, Bishop Oluwole Street, and Adetokunbo Ademola Street. These interventions, he noted, have directly improved the lives and businesses of thousands of Lagosians, including those operating from the corporate headquarters of the Dangote Group.
Dangote also applauded Tinubu’s revival of the long-abandoned 48-year-old Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, describing them as transformative national assets that will bridge Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He praised Hitech Construction Company for executing both projects with international standards.
Drawing comparisons to the Netherlands’ Zeeland reclamation, Dangote said Tinubu’s work reflects “determined, people-first engineering.” He pledged that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would soon announce a major climate adaptation fund targeted at Nigeria’s flood-vulnerable communities in honor of Tinubu’s legacy.
The open letter, which was shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, also made reference to the recent Kerr County, Texas flood disaster, using it to highlight the foresight behind Nigeria’s coastal defense initiatives. Dangote expressed condolences to the victims and their families, while praising Tinubu’s proactive efforts in averting similar tragedies in Nigeria.
Dangote ended the letter with a heartfelt prayer for the President’s continued success, calling Tinubu “Asiwaju of Africa” and describing his support for private enterprise and national development as unparalleled in Nigeria’s modern history.
