By Onilede Titi Faith
Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his administration’s commitment to flood control and transformative infrastructure development across Nigeria.
The letter, made public on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, praised Tinubu’s foresight in addressing the longstanding threat of coastal flooding along Nigeria’s Atlantic shoreline, particularly through projects that enhance national unity and economic growth.
Dangote cited the successful reclamation of Bar Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos, now home to the Eko Atlantic City as a model for flood mitigation and urban planning in Africa.
He credited the 8.5-kilometre sea wall, initiated during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State Governor, with saving thousands of homes and businesses from ocean surge and coastal erosion.
Comparing this to recent deadly floods in Kerr County, Texas, Dangote wrote:
“If not for your visionary leadership and commitment to protect our people and our shoreline, the story of our beloved Lagos would have been one of devastation. This is a testament to what bold leadership can achieve.”
He also applauded the revival of key infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, describing them as strategic national assets that will improve logistics, create jobs, and boost regional integration.
In a philanthropic gesture, Dangote announced that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would support the creation of a Climate Adaptation and Flood Mitigation Fund to aid vulnerable communities across Nigeria, complementing government efforts to build resilience against climate change.
He concluded by urging President Tinubu to remain resolute in implementing people-centered policies and reaffirmed the private sector’s readiness to support national development.
