Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has accepted an invitation from content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Isbae U, to appear on his YouTube show, Curiosity Made Me Ask, in a move that could bring the industrialist closer to younger audiences.
Dangote accepted the invitation on Monday during Isbae U’s visit to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, where the content creator asked why many of the billionaire’s interviews were conducted on platforms that younger Nigerians rarely follow.
Isbae U argued that young people were interested in Dangote’s business journey, particularly his planned company investment opportunities, and deserved a chance to hear directly from one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.
“Most of the interviews we’ve seen you have been on platforms that my generation don’t watch,” he said.
Clarifying that he was not asking Dangote to dismiss his media team, the content creator urged the businessman to make time for his programme and asked when he would be available to appear on the show.
In response, Dangote acknowledged the importance of engaging younger Nigerians, describing them as the future of Nigeria and Africa.
“Honestly, the future that we have is actually you, the youth. We, our own generation, really, we have not really done very well for Nigeria and also for Africa. That’s the truth,” he said.
The billionaire said conversations between older and younger generations were necessary to share experiences, learn from the past and discuss the country’s development.
“So we need to sit down with some of you and discuss our own experience with you,” he added.
Dangote also observed that many young Nigerians had limited knowledge of the country’s political history and past leaders. He cited former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that younger people might be more familiar with him because he returned to power after previously serving as military head of state.
Isbae U interjected, saying, “Thanks to me. I gave him the platform, sir,” apparently referring to his interview with Obasanjo.
Dangote agreed that platforms targeting younger audiences offered an important opportunity for business leaders to connect with a generation increasingly interested in entrepreneurship, investment and personal success.
“So really, you are right. Going forward, this sort of audience is the audience that we, somebody like me, should actually face,” he said.
Dangote opens up on relating with young Nigerians
Beyond accepting the invitation, Dangote spoke about his relationship with young people, saying he had continued to receive support and respect from Nigerians, including during his travels abroad.
He explained that people around him sometimes tried to prevent members of the public from approaching him for photographs, but he preferred to oblige them.
The businessman recalled an experience from his younger days when he and his grandfather met prominent personalities in Washington and asked to take photographs with them. He said the encounter influenced his willingness to take pictures with members of the public despite his present status.
Dangote also clarified the meaning behind a photograph of him that circulated on social media, dismissing suggestions that he was asking God for more blessings.
“I wasn’t begging for anything. What I was saying, I was just saying that, God, you have overblessed me,” he said.
Responding to Isbae U’s invitation, Dangote gave a clear indication that he was ready to participate in the programme.
“We will come,” he said.
He added that the proposed conversation should be open and allow young Nigerians to ask questions about how he built his business, overcame challenges and achieved success.
Dangote’s acceptance could offer Isbae U’s audience a rare opportunity to hear the business magnate discuss his journey in a more informal setting, while underscoring the growing role of digital platforms in connecting influential figures with younger Nigerians.
The development also reflects a wider shift in media consumption, as online creators increasingly provide spaces for conversations with public figures who have traditionally engaged audiences through television, newspapers and other established media outlets.