President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that he acquired his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half.

Dangote made the disclosure on Monday while speaking at the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos during the formal launch of the Initial Public Offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals. 

Reflecting on his decades in business, the billionaire industrialist said he had enjoyed his career but had increasingly become more interested in using wealth to create productive opportunities.

“My career as a businessman, I really had a great time. I was telling somebody that right now I don’t mind, I can take commercial, I can take anything. I had my first private jet at 22 and a half years old,” Dangote said. 

He, however, urged wealthy Nigerians who spend huge sums on private aircraft to channel more of their resources into productive investments, particularly manufacturing and industrial ventures.

Dangote said Nigeria could not achieve meaningful economic transformation without increased investment in productive activities.

“I try as much as I can to encourage people who are riding $900 million aircraft to please go and put that into production. We are not going to be a great nation without doing something productive,” he said. 

The industrialist also recalled an experience in Abuja where he reportedly spent about 30 minutes looking for a parking space, saying the experience made him wish the area had more factories instead of private jets.

His comments came as the Dangote Refinery formally commenced its public offering on the Nigerian Exchange, providing investors with an opportunity to acquire shares in the multibillion-dollar refinery project. 

Dangote’s remarks highlighted his broader call for greater private-sector investment in production, saying wealth should be deployed in ways that contribute to economic growth and create opportunities for others.