Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has publicly lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold and visionary leadership in addressing long-standing environmental and infrastructural challenges in Lagos State and across Nigeria.
In an open letter shared by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, Dangote specifically praised Tinubu’s interventions in tackling ocean surges and flooding on Victoria Island, Lagos, through the Bar Beach Land Reclamation project, as well as his administration’s rollout of major national highway projects.
“I would like to express my deep appreciation to you for your visionary leadership and farsightedness on the Bar Beach Land Reclamation project in Victoria Island, Lagos State,” Dangote wrote, noting that the initiative had transformed a flood-prone coastline into a thriving urban district poised for investment and economic growth since its conception in 2008.
The business magnate cited the Eko Atlantic City project as a key legacy of Tinubu’s time as governor, calling it a modern development that spans 1,000 hectares, protected by an 8.5-kilometre sea wall, which has helped prevent coastal erosion and flooding.
He continued, “Your foresightedness is even more visible in view of the tragic incident in Kerr County, Texas, USA, where over 100 lives have sadly been lost to flash flooding.”
Dangote further applauded Tinubu’s administration for initiating the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, describing the projects as transformative for Nigeria’s infrastructure and as a boost to national connectivity.
He noted that the Sokoto-Badagry road project, in particular, marks the revival of a 48-year-old plan and praised the selection of Hitech Construction Company Limited to handle both projects.
Comparing the land reclamation efforts to those seen in the Netherlands, Dangote wrote, “Your inspired move recalls a similar methodology in a land reclamation process in Zeeland, Netherlands… The same ethos resonates in the Bar Beach project, for which I salute you.”
The industrialist expressed gratitude on behalf of Dangote Industries Limited for the enabling environment provided by Tinubu’s leadership and extended sympathies to victims of recent flooding in Texas. He also revealed plans by the Aliko Dangote Foundation to establish a climate fund aimed at supporting vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
“In honour of your vision, the Aliko Dangote Foundation will soon be announcing plans to contribute to a climate fund that will target those vulnerable parts of our country that are susceptible to this natural disaster,” he wrote.
Dangote concluded his message with a prayer: “May Almighty Allah (S.W\.T.) continue to increase your wisdom, burnish your vision, and inspire you to greater heights of success for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
