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 disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos .
Reflecting on his decades-long journey in business, the Africa’s richest man said he had achieved significant success but now places greater value on productive investments than luxury.
“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 used the opportunity to encourage wealthy Nigerians, especially owners of expensive private jets, to redirect their wealth towards manufacturing and other productive investments.
“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 added.