Dangote: I’d rather go to prison than lose my phone

Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, says he would rather go to prison than surrender access to his mobile phone.

Speaking at an event in Lagos where he unveiled his Vision 2030 plan, the billionaire was asked to choose between spending a week without his mobile phone and giving up access to his private jet.

In response, he said losing access to his phone would be far more difficult, stressing the importance of the device to him.

“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.

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Dangote also revealed that his phone contained more than 13,000 contacts, highlighting the extent of his personal and professional network and the role the device plays in maintaining those connections.

“I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said.

Explaining why his contact list had grown to such a size, Dangote said he rarely blocked people, a practice he suggested had contributed to the large number of contacts saved on his phone.

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

Dangote is the chairman of the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, with business interests spanning cement production, fertiliser manufacturing and oil refining, among other sectors.