Dangote applauds Tinubu for strides in infrastructure and flood management
Dangote applauds Tinubu for strides in infrastructure and flood management
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its “visionary leadership” in advancing infrastructure and implementing flood control measures.
In an open letter titled “Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR: Appreciation”, Dangote commended the government’s efforts, specifically citing the transformative Bar Beach Land Reclamation initiative (Eko Atlantic City) and the ongoing construction of superhighways across the country.
The letter was shared on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, via his X (formerly Twitter) account.
In his message, Dangote also drew a comparison between the success of the Eko Atlantic City project and the recent flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, USA, which resulted in over 100 fatalities.
He praised Tinubu’s “foresightedness” in initiating the Eko Atlantic City, a modern city spanning 1,000 hectares and protected by an 8.5-kilometre-long sea wall, which has effectively shielded Victoria Island from coastal erosion and provided new land for development.
“Your Excellency, this success story, which is now being used for residential, business, and recreational purposes, is amongst your many legacies, and those of us who live in Victoria Island are much better off for it,” Dangote wrote, applauding the President’s “exemplary intervention in ending the era of ocean surge and in continuous tackling the issue of perennial flooding affecting areas such as Ahmadu Bello Way, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street, Amodu Ojikutu Street, Adetokunbo Ademola Street and Karimu Kotun Street, among others.”
Beyond flood control, the Africa’s richest man commended Tinubu for kickstarting major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway.
Dangote emphasized the significance of the superhighway project, describing it as the “resurrection of a 48-year-old initiative,” both it and the Bar Beach Land Reclamation project being executed by the renowned construction firm, Hitech Construction Company Limited.
He also drew parallels between Nigeria’s land reclamation efforts and successful projects in Zeeland, Netherlands, where previously submerged land was converted into usable dry land for agriculture and human settlement. Dangote described this as “a testament to Dutch ingenuity and perseverance in water management and creating habitable spaces in challenging environments,” adding, “That same spirit is evident in the Bar Beach project, and for that, I salute you.”
As part of its corporate social responsibility, Dangote Industries Limited extended condolences to the families affected by the recent flooding in Kerr County, Texas.
In conclusion, the letter announced that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would soon unveil plans to contribute to a Climate Fund aimed at supporting vulnerable regions in Nigeria that are prone to natural disasters.
Responding to the letter, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga described Dangote’s remarks as “an honest assessment of President Tinubu’s leadership,” contrasting sharply with criticism from opposition figures who claim the president has achieved little over the past two years.
