Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed just how important his mobile phone is to his daily life, declaring that he would rather be sent to prison than be separated from the device.
The billionaire industrialist made the revelation in Lagos while unveiling his Vision 2030 plan, an initiative designed to accelerate industrialisation and promote economic growth across Africa.
During the event, Dangote was presented with a choice between giving up his mobile phone for seven days and losing access to his private jet for the same period.
His response left little doubt about which possession mattered more 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.
Explaining his strong attachment to the device, Dangote disclosed that his phone contains more than 13,000 contacts, reflecting the extensive network of personal and professional relationships he has built over the years.
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“I know that would be almost… my number — I have that number since… Twitter… I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said.
Asked how he had accumulated such a large contact list, the business mogul explained that he rarely blocks people, allowing his network to expand over time.
“Wow. Wow. I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people,” he added.
Dangote’s remarks offered a glimpse into the role mobile communication plays in managing his extensive business interests and maintaining connections with people across different sectors.
His comments also highlighted an unexpected personal preference from a businessman known for his vast wealth: when forced to choose between his phone and his private jet, the phone clearly came first.