Aliko Dangote Retires as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery After Two Decades

Aliko Dangote has officially stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, effective June 16, 2025. The announcement, made through a corporate disclosure signed by company secretary Temitope Hassan, marks the end of Dangote’s 20-year leadership since the company’s inception in 2005 . His retirement aligns with the company’s commitment to sound corporate governance and structured succession planning.

Throughout his tenure, Dangote was instrumental in steering Dangote Sugar to industry dominance. He championed major backward integration projects in Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa states, which significantly boosted local sugar production and reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imports . Under his guidance, the refinery consistently delivered value to shareholders and maintained a strong reputation for governance and operational excellence.

In naming a successor, the board conducted a rigorous selection process and appointed Arnold Ekpe—an independent non-executive director and former Ecobank group CEO—as the new chairman. Ekpe brings a wealth of experience in banking and corporate leadership, and his appointment reflects the company’s aim to build on the robust foundation established under Dangote’s leadership.

As Africa’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $23.8 billion as of March 2025 , Dangote remains at the helm of the broader Dangote Group. While stepping away from the sugar unit, he continues to lead other major subsidiaries across cement, oil refinery, and petrochemicals. His departure from the sugar board signals a legacy defined by strategic expansion, local value creation, and institutional growth—leaving a lasting impact on Nigeria’s agro-processing sector.

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