I HAD MY FIRST PRIVATE JET AT 22, BUT NOW I CAN EVEN FLY COMMERCIAL - DANGOTE URGES WEALTHY NIGERIANS TO INVEST IN PRODUCTION INSTEAD OF PRIVATE JETS

Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has urged wealthy Nigerians who spend millions of dollars on private aircraft to channel more of their wealth into productive businesses.

Reflecting on his career, Dangote said he had his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half, adding that he is now open to commercial opportunities.

“In my career as a businessman, I had great times. I was telling somebody that right now, I don’t mind. I can take commercial, I can take anything. I had my first private jet at 22 years and a half,” he said.

Dangote said he encourages people who own aircraft worth $90 million or $100 million to invest their money in businesses that can contribute to the country’s development.

“So I try as much as possible to encourage people who are riding 90, 100 million dollars aircraft, please go and put that into business. We are not going to create a great nation without doing something productive,” he said.

He also recalled spending 30 minutes looking for a parking space in Abuja, saying the experience made him wish the area had factories instead of private jets.

“It took me 30 minutes to find a parking space in Abuja. It was Wednesday or Thursday. And I said, ‘Oh, I wish this place was full of factories, not private jets.’”