Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, drew laughter and applause on Thursday as he humorously corrected a Master of Ceremonies (MC) who mistakenly referred to him as “President” during an official event attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The incident occurred during the commissioning of the Lekki Seaport Access Road in Lagos State, a significant infrastructure project designed to enhance logistics in the port corridor.
While being introduced, the MC referred to Dangote as the “President of the Dangote Group.” Dangote quickly interjected to clarify his actual title, jokingly emphasizing the importance of protocol in the presence of the Nigerian head of state.
“Mr MC, for your attention, next time when Mr. President is around, my title is ‘Chairman,’ not ‘President.’ Whether with a small p or tiny little p, don’t call me president o. Thank you,” Dangote quipped, prompting laughter from the audience.
In a show of humility and respect, Dangote then turned to President Tinubu to apologize, saying:
“I’m sorry sir, he called me president. I didn’t allow him to do so, sir.”
Protocol and Respect at High-Level Government Events
The lighthearted exchange highlighted Dangote’s sense of humor and deference to official protocol, especially when sharing a stage with Nigeria’s sitting president. It also served as a reminder of the importance of titles in formal events.
The commissioning ceremony marks another milestone in the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s transport and infrastructure sector under the Tinubu administration, with key stakeholders such as the Dangote Group playing pivotal roles in logistics, industrial development, and port operations.
