Aliko Dangote urges wealthy Nigerians to invest $90m-$100m spent on private jets into factories and productive businesses

Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has urged wealthy Nigerians to invest more of their money in productive businesses instead of spending heavily on private jets.

Dangote said he had enjoyed great success in his own business career and bought his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half. However, he now believes more wealthy people should channel their resources into businesses that can contribute to the country’s development.

“I had my first private jet at 22 years and a half,” he said in an interview.

He urged people who can afford aircraft worth between $90 million and $100 million to consider investing that money in businesses.

“So I try as much as possible to encourage people who are riding 90, 100 million dollars aircraft, please go and put that into business. We are not going to create a great nation without doing something productive,” Dangote said.

He recalled an experience in Abuja that reinforced his view. According to him, he once spent about 30 minutes looking for a parking space before noticing the number of private jets in the area.

“It took me 30 minutes to find a parking space in Abuja. It was Wednesday or Thursday. And I said, ‘Oh, I wish this place was full of factories, not private jets,’” he recalled.