Aliko Dangote Retires as Chairman of Dangote Cement, Ikazoboh Takes Over

Saturday July 26, 2025
TheNewsDESK |

By Idorenyin UMOREN

Nigerian Businessman and Philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has officially stepped down as Chairman and Director of Dangote Cement Plc, effective, as he moves to concentrate on other strategic areas within the Dangote Group, ARISE News reported.

The company, in a statement released in Friday, announced that Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an Independent Non-Executive Director, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board. Additionally, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has joined the Board, while Professor Dorothy Ufot has retired.

Dangote’s decision to exit the cement board was attributed to his desire to focus more on the group’s Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Government Relations, with a view to propelling the conglomerate’s five-year trajectory to greater heights.

According to ARISE News, Dangote leaves behind an extraordinary legacy at Dangote Cement. Under his leadership, the company grew into Africa’s largest cement producer with a current production capacity of 52.0 million tonnes per annum (Mta), 35.25Mta of which is based in Nigeria. With new plants underway in Côte d’Ivoire and Itori, Nigeria, the capacity is set to rise to 61.0Mta this year.

Dangote Cement also recorded its highest-ever financial performance in the first half of 2025, posting a 17.7% rise in group revenue to ₦2.07 trillion and a 41.8% increase in group EBITDA to ₦944.9 billion. Profit before tax soared 149% to ₦730 billion, while profit after tax rose 174% to ₦520.5 billion. In addition, export volumes rose by 18.2%, with multiple clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon.

Accepting his new role, Emmanuel Ikazoboh described his appointment as “an honour” and pledged to uphold “the highest standards of leadership and dedication.” He praised Dangote Cement as “a beacon of African enterprise”, and promised to sustain its growth by focusing on operational efficiency, sustainability, strategic expansion and staff development.

“We will continue to invest in innovation and alternative energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while boosting employee capacity and community engagement,” he said.

Ikazoboh, a seasoned administrator and former Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., brings decades of experience in finance and governance. He also previously led reform efforts at the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Central Securities Clearing System on behalf of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The leadership transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dangote Cement Plc, as the company prepares to build on its legacy of excellence and innovation across Africa’s industrial landscape.