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Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has accepted an invitation from Nigerian content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Bae U Barbie, to appear on his YouTube show, Curiosity Made Me Ask.
Dangote accepted the invitation during Bae U’s visit to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos on Monday, October 19.
During the visit, Bae U urged the businessman to engage more with young Nigerians through platforms they regularly watch.
He noted that most of Dangote’s previous interviews had been conducted on platforms that did not attract many young people, despite their interest in his businesses and investment plans.
“Most of the interviews we’ve seen you have been on platforms that my generation don’t watch,” Bae U said.
He clarified that he was not asking Dangote to change his media team but wanted him to make time for an interview on his show.
In response, Dangote acknowledged the importance of reaching young people, 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 businessman explained that older Nigerians needed to share their experiences with younger generations to help them understand the country’s history and development.
“So we need to sit down with some of you and discuss our own experience with you,” he added.
Dangote also expressed concern that many young Nigerians had limited knowledge of some past political leaders and historical events. He mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an example.
Bae U interrupted him, saying, “Thanks to me. I gave him the platform, sir,” apparently referring to his interview with Obasanjo.
Dangote agreed that business leaders and other prominent Nigerians should make greater efforts to engage young people through platforms that appeal to them.
“So really, you are right. Going forward, this sort of audience is the audience that we, somebody like me, should actually face,” he said.
He also spoke about the respect and support he receives from young people, including those he meets while travelling abroad.
Dangote recalled an experience from his youth when he and his grandfather met prominent personalities in Washington and asked to take photographs with them. He said the experience influenced how he responds when people approach him for photographs today.
The billionaire also explained a photograph of himself that had attracted attention on social media, dismissing suggestions that he was seeking more blessings.
“I wasn’t begging for anything. What I was saying, I was just saying that, God, you have overblessed me,” he said.
Dangote eventually agreed to appear on Bae U’s show, where young Nigerians would have an opportunity to ask questions about his business journey and the experiences behind his success.
“We will come,” he said in response to the invitation.
He added that the proposed discussion should give young people the opportunity to learn how he built his business and achieved success.
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