Why I Would Rather Go to Prison Than Lose My Phone – Dangote

Why I Would Rather Go to Prison Than Lose My Phone – Dangote

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed the importance of his mobile phone to his personal and business life, saying he would rather go to prison than be separated from the device.

Dangote made the remark in Lagos while unveiling his Vision 2030 plan, an initiative aimed at accelerating industrialisation across Africa.

At the event, the billionaire industrialist was asked to choose between staying without his mobile phone for seven days and losing access to his private jet for the same period.

In response, Dangote said giving up his phone would be a far more difficult sacrifice.

“Ah… I think it’s easier you put me in prison than to take my phone away. So, you know, I mean taking my phone away is no-go area, okay?” he said.

The chairman of the Dangote Group also disclosed that his phone contains more than 13,000 contacts, reflecting the extensive network of personal and professional relationships he has built over the years.

“I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said, explaining that he had retained the same phone number for many years.

Asked how he had accumulated such a large contact list, Dangote attributed it partly to his reluctance to block people.

“I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people,” he added.

Dangote chairs the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, with investments spanning cement, fertiliser, manufacturing and petroleum refining.

His remarks offered a glimpse into how central mobile communication has become to his extensive business and personal engagements.