Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has called on the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) to spearhead leadership development programmes for African presidents, prime ministers, governors and top policymakers, describing the institute as a critical platform for shaping the continent’s future.

Dangote made the call during a courtesy visit by officials of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute and the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by Prof. Elvis Otobo, Media Consultant to OOLI’s Deputy Chief Executive, Dangote stressed the importance of continuous learning among African leaders if the continent is to accelerate development and overcome longstanding governance challenges.

“If Africa is serious about changing its development story, then our leaders must embrace continuous learning,” Dangote said.

“The OOLI offers the right platform, rooted in African experience yet globally oriented, to help leaders acquire the knowledge and skills needed to transform their nations.”

The business magnate said the institute possesses the capacity to address leadership gaps across Africa, particularly in governance, economic transformation and regional integration.

He praised the institute’s vision, noting that its association with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and other respected African statesmen places it in a unique position to deliver practical, experience-driven leadership training.

“The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute is exactly what Africa needs at this critical time,” Dangote stated.

“With President Obasanjo and other outstanding former African leaders at its core, the institute is well positioned to provide bespoke training for leaders who genuinely seek to drive national transformation.”

In his remarks, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recounted a pivotal conversation with Dangote that he said helped lay the foundation for Nigeria’s emergence as a cement manufacturing powerhouse.

Obasanjo recalled challenging Dangote, who was then heavily involved in cement importation, on why he was not producing the commodity locally despite Nigeria’s vast limestone deposits.

According to the former president, Dangote explained that importing cement was more profitable than local production at the time.

Determined to reverse the trend, Obasanjo said he asked what policy changes would encourage local manufacturing.

The response, he noted, proved transformational.

“Make cement imports unprofitable and tie import permits to commitments to produce locally,” Obasanjo quoted Dangote as saying.

Reflecting on the outcome of that policy direction, Dangote revealed that Nigeria has since become Africa’s largest cement producer, surpassing several major economies.

“Today, Nigeria produces more cement than Saudi Arabia. We are the largest producer of cement in Africa and the Middle East,” he said.

Dangote credited Obasanjo’s strategic intervention for helping shift his business focus from trading to manufacturing, a move he said has created economic benefits across more than 10 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.

“Obasanjo’s strategic leadership changed the trajectory of our business and created opportunities across multiple African economies,” Dangote said.

“This is the type of practical leadership experience that OOLI can pass on to presidents and policymakers across the continent.”

Also speaking, Prof. Samuel Daramola, Deputy Chief Executive of OOLI, thanked Dangote for his endorsement and commended the refinery’s contribution to Africa’s industrial development.

Representing the institute’s Director, retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, Daramola said OOLI remains committed to building a new generation of result-oriented leaders across Africa.

“The OOLI’s mandate is clear — to raise leaders who deliver measurable results,” he said.

He disclosed that the institute has assembled a world-class faculty comprising diplomats, academics, policy experts and practitioners, supported by a curriculum designed to strengthen leadership capacity across African nations.

“Our programmes are experiential, practical and focused on addressing real-world leadership challenges,” Daramola said.

“With the right facilities and curriculum in place, OOLI is prepared to support presidents, prime ministers, governors and senior public officials committed to transformational leadership.”