Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the founder and majority shareholder of Dangote Cement, has stepped down as Chairman of the cement manufacturer.
Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group’s chief branding and communications officer, issued this statement on Friday, saying the businessman relinquished the position to focus on Dangote Petroleum Refinery, petrochemical and fertiliser plants, as well as government relations.
Chiejina stated Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, has been appointed as the new Chairman.
He stated that Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was appointed to the Board, while Dorothy Ufot, an independent non-executive director, has retired from the Board.
Chiejina expressed, “Foremost entrepreneur and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has announced his retirement as a director and the chairman of the board of directors, effective July 25, 2025,” Chiejina said.
“He is relinquishing his position as Chairman and retiring from the Board to focus more attention on the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Government Relations, to drive the company’s five-year business trajectory to a superlative height.
“The Board of Dangote Cement Plc has therefore announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. In the same vein, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board.”
Chiejina said the billionaire leaves giant footprints as he retires from the Board, adding that his vision and tenacity redefined not just his company but the entire cement industry landscape by becoming Africa’s largest cement producer and largest exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.
“Dangote Cement Plc has 52.0Mta capacity across the African continent, with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta. Currently, additional greenfield plants are being established in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0 Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta), and upon completion this year, will increase total capacity to 61.0 Mta.
“Under his visionary leadership, Dangote Cement Plc recorded the highest revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) in the history of the company. According to the unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2025, the group’s revenue increased by 17.7 per cent, from N1,760 billion at the same period in 2024 to N2,071.6 billion, representing the highest revenue in the company’s history.
“Group Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 41.8 per cent to N944.900 billion from N666.22 billion. EBITDA (Nigeria Operations) grew by 82.4 per cent to N845.4 billion. Profit before tax increased from N292.96 billion to N730 billion, representing a 149% rise. In comparison, profit after tax surged by 174.1 per cent to ₦520.5 billion, in contrast to N189.90 billion in the same period in the preceding period.”
Chiejina said cement export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2 per cent in the six months, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon.
“Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential.
“He has proven that Africa can produce, compete, and lead on the global stage. It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.”
Emmanuel Ikazoboh was an independent non-executive director of Dangote Cement before his appointment.
In his acceptance speech, Ikazoboh said he is honoured to accept the role and pledged to uphold the highest standards of leadership and dedication.
He also announced plans to drive down costs through the implementation of robust cost-reduction strategies to navigate inflationary pressures and enhance competitiveness during his tenure.
Ikazoboh added that the company will accelerate its efforts to adopt alternative fuels and technologies, thereby reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a more sustainable future.
According to Chiejina, the new Chairman was previously the group chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., but started his professional career at Akintola Williams Deloitte.
Ikazoboh first became the managing partner for francophone offices in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire and later became the managing partner of the Deloitte firm in West and Central Africa until 2009.
In 2010, Chiejina said Ikazoboh was appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an interim administrator to carry out capital.