Aliko Dangote is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dangote Cement Plc. He is the founder and President/ Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, primary holding company of the largest conglomerate in West Africa. 

A graduate of Business Studies from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, he started business in 1978 trading in commodities, before he ventured into full-scale manufacturing. He has been conferred several Honorary Doctorate degrees from various prestigious Universities across the globe, including Coventry University in the United Kingdom (2016), University of Ibadan in Nigeria (2016), and Ahmadu Bello University (2019). 

He is well known for his philanthropic engagements in local and international initiatives via the Aliko Dangote Foundation; committed to improving healthcare, education, and social wellbeing. In addition, he sits on the boards of notable international bodies involved in global economic growth, sustainable development, and healthcare initiatives. 

These include the JP Morgan International Council, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the McKinsey Advisory Council, the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, the Harvard Advisory Council, amongst others. 

The Nigerian Government conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON), the first person outside government functionaries to receive this honour.