The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Thursday reaffirmed the conglomerate’s commitment to strengthening its supply chain, deepening digital capabilities, and sustaining customer-driven growth, as he addressed stakeholders at the Nascon 2025 Customers’ Dinner and Awards Night in Abuja.
Dangote, Africa’s richest man, told customers, board members, and executives that the event reflected both the group’s journey and its forward strategy. “This is an event that actually reflects not only how far we have come as a group, but also how we intend to move forward,” he said.
As Group President overseeing a diversified conglomerate operating across multiple markets and consumer segments, Dangote stressed that customer partnerships remain central to the group’s business model.
“As a group president, I have the privilege of overseeing the diversified group operating across multiple markets, brands, and consumer segments. Despite this diversity, our principle unites all our operations,” he said, adding, “Strong customers’ partnerships are the foundation of sustainable growth in our group.”
He noted that the group had undergone significant transformation in recent years, expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening its brand portfolio, and modernising distribution systems.
“Over the past several years, our group has evolved significantly. We have expanded our manufacturing capacity, strengthened our brand portfolio, and modernised our go-to-market systems. Each of these milestones was influenced by customer needs and market realities,” he said.
Dangote acknowledged the role of distributors and trade partners in supporting product launches and market expansion, especially during difficult macroeconomic conditions.
“Many of the customers present tonight have walked this journey with us, supporting the new product launches, expanding distribution into new territories, and standing by our brands during periods of economic uncertainty. We must really thank you for always standing by us,” he stated.
According to him, the awards presented at the event recognise the breadth of excellence within the company’s customer base. He also commended the management team for organising the event, describing customer recognition as both a strategic and commercial imperative.
Looking ahead, Dangote outlined the group’s investment priorities, linking them directly to customer feedback and market realities.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in brand equity, supply chain efficiency, sustainability, and digital capabilities. But these investments only create value when they are aligned with customer realities. Your continued engagement and feedback remain very, very critical to us,” he said.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Chairman of the Board of Nascon Allied Industries Plc and Dangote Group’s Vice President, Mr Olakunle Alake, said the company’s long-term growth depends on deep customer partnerships and consistent market execution in an increasingly competitive FMCG landscape.
Alake described the event as “both symbolic and strategic,” noting that it publicly affirms customer service as a core value while reinforcing collaboration as the basis for expansion.
He told attendees that “long-term growth is built on collaboration and not on transactions,” stressing that strong distribution networks and retail relationships remain critical to sustaining market performance and shareholder confidence.
Alake added that while the company is accountable to shareholders and regulators, its performance ultimately rests on customers who stock and promote its brands across markets.
He said the awards recognise partners that have delivered scale, consistency and growth over time, adding that customer service is “not just a core value, it is a strategic asset” in an environment of fragile loyalty and intense competition.
Also speaking at the event, the newly appointed Group Executive Director of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, Fatima Aliko Dangote, thanked customers for what she described as years of loyalty and trust that have supported the company’s expansion.
She told distributors that their performance across markets had directly shaped the group’s results.
In her remarks, the recently appointed Group Executive Director, Commercial, Cement and Foods, at Dangote Industries Limited, Mariya Aliko Dangote, said her early days overseeing the foods business had reinforced the importance of trade partnerships.
“I recently assumed the responsibility of our food business in the capacity of Group Executive Director, Commercial operations, and one truth is already clear to me: our success is built with you and with your unwavering support,” she said, adding that performance in the market is ultimately driven by customer feedback and execution.
The Managing Director of NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Aderemi Saka, said the awards were designed to recognise customers whose growth has mirrored that of the company, stressing that NASCON’s performance is closely linked to the strength of its distribution network.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the company, also known as Dangote Salt, honoured 50 customers at the 2025 dinner. Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Ali Balarabe commended the board and management for what he described as consistent engagement with distributors, after receiving a 20-tonne truck and a cash credit.
He pledged to sustain his support for the brand, while other recipients of truckload awards and cash credits included Alhaji Ibrahim Achida, Muabsa Integrated Services, Fanisau Enterprises, Idris Saleh Nigeria Limited, Sani Adamu Trader and GIA Global Concept.
The PUNCH earlier reported in August 2025 that Nascon Allied Industries Plc recorded a profit of N15.6bn for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, representing a 222 per cent increase from the N4.8bn posted in the corresponding period of 2024.
The company’s revenue rose by 55 per cent to N78.2bn from N50.4bn in the same period last year, according to its unaudited financial statements released on Monday.
Operating profit surged 196 per cent to N21.3bn in the first half of 2025, up from N7.2bn in the previous year. Profit before tax stood at N23.3bn, more than tripling the N7.2bn reported in the corresponding period of 2024.