Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of Dangote Group, on Friday said that Nigeria had the capacity to “light up Africa in the next 20 years” with the right leadership.
Dangote said this at the African Business Conference organised by the Masters of Business Administration students of the Lagos Business School in Lagos.
Dangote, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Joseph Makoju, said the absence of right leadership was the bane of Nigeria’s and Africa’s development.
He said: “Good leadership is the solution to Nigeria and Africa’s problems.
“This continent’s problem has never been about scarce resources.
“It is possible, given a change of mentality in leadership that Nigeria will light up Africa.
“With the right leadership, African will not be called a dark continent in 20 years time.
“Lighting up is not in terms of electricity, but in terms of hope from our leaders to us for our continent’s sustainable development.”
Dangote advised leaders at all levels to shun corruption and try to earn the trust of their followers through provision and maintenance of basic infrastructure.
He said that public-private partnership initiatives should be encouraged, while transparent and speedy procurement processes in public life should be upheld to encourage local production of goods and services.
“Privatisation is one of the best ways of making the people earn the benefits of democracy,” he said.
He said that more brainstorming events on economic growth of Nigeria and Africa should be hosted more often.
Chukwuka Nwagbara, the conference’s Chairman, said that the event would give upcoming entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn risk management and business competitiveness.
“This is an avenue to network with established businessmen,” Nwagbara said.
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