₦airaland Forum

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has reacted to the wave of Nigerians jokingly declaring themselves his “business partners” after buying shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking during an interview at the Qatar Economic Forum on Sunday, Dangote acknowledged the social media jokes, including calls from new shareholders for a “board meeting.”

“You must have seen that they’ve been calling me now for a board meeting,” Dangote said.


The jokes followed the launch of the Dangote Refinery’s initial public offering (IPO), which has been marketed as a “people’s IPO” and allows Nigerians to buy a stake in the refinery.

Some new investors have taken to social media to portray themselves as co-owners, board members and executives, with some even sharing mock ownership certificates bearing titles such as “chief investment officer” and “co-founder and partner.”

Others have posted videos joking about monitoring the refinery’s operations, demanding updates and preparing for meetings with Dangote.

While discussing the decision to bring more investors into his businesses, Dangote said his companies had traditionally operated without external partners.

“We have actually everything we do by ourselves. We don’t have partners. But that’s why we are now looking for all these massive number of people to now become our partners,” he said.


The refinery share offer has generated significant public interest, with retail investors embracing the opportunity to own a stake in one of Africa’s biggest industrial projects.

The online jokes have turned the IPO into a wider social media moment, with Nigerians humorously presenting their small shareholdings as a ticket into Dangote’s boardroom.

Dangote confirms 2028 fertiliser IPO

Beyond the refinery, Dangote also confirmed that his fertiliser business will be taken public.

Asked whether the company would launch an IPO, he replied:

“Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean, we will IPO it. It’s going to be the biggest fertilizer company on earth.”

Asked when, Dangote gave a clear timeline.

“Yes, it will be 2028.”

Dangote Fertiliser operates a $2.5 billion plant in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, with an annual capacity of about three million tonnes of urea.

The group plans to significantly expand its fertiliser production capacity, with a target of about 12 million tonnes annually by 2028, including planned expansion in Nigeria and a proposed plant in Ethiopia.

…..you can now see that my new business partners have been calling me for board meetings….”

Dangote reacts to the viral jokes from Nigerians who began calling themselves his
"business partners" after buying shares in the Dangote Refinery IPO😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JLgfzxeAoC

— Star Potter (@Starpotternews) September 21, 2026

Jayhome24:
Sir, floating your business shares to the public anyhow as you did will be your biggest mistake I don't even know who gave you such advise you have just exposed yourself to naija nonsense entitlement mentality that might crash you as a matter of time..na here we go dey..

FriendsAndFans:
The reapers and the jokers 😂😂
What's the profit to make on 5250 in 5 years 🤣

Jayhome24:
Sir, floating your business shares to the public anyhow as you did will be your biggest mistake I don't even know who gave you such advise you have just exposed yourself to naija nonsense entitlement mentality that might crash you as a matter of time..na here we go dey..

Otsam:
Keep waiting for it. I'm sure if you are as smart/wise business-wise as himself, you should be the one in that studio or at least be in his league not on nairaland to dish out advise to him.

Jayhome24:
Sir, floating your business shares to the public anyhow as you did will be your biggest mistake I don't even know who gave you such advise you have just exposed yourself to naija nonsense entitlement mentality that might crash you as a matter of time..na here we go dey..

Jayhome24:
Nog even a little sense in your little epistle.

MrPOTUS:
What is this one saying


Seems you don't understand what going public means


How can the business really grow without investments?

Do you know how much investors have poured into the business?

Do you know what his net worth has jumped to?


You think the man is doing it because he cares about Nigerians.

amaridigital:
He borrowed his idea from the man operating a supermarket in Abuja whose products are all imported from China and Bangladesh. A man whose best advisor is a madman from Upper Uweka so I won't blame him.
He doesn't understand the meaning of going public.

Jayhome24:
Sir, floating your business shares to the public anyhow as you did will be your biggest mistake I don't even know who gave you such advise you have just exposed yourself to naija nonsense entitlement mentality that might crash you as a matter of time..na here we go dey..

Wickedfacts:
You know nothing about it business. You reason like a hawker.

Jayhome24:
Sir, floating your business shares to the public anyhow as you did will be your biggest mistake I don't even know who gave you such advise you have just exposed yourself to naija nonsense entitlement mentality that might crash you as a matter of time..na here we go dey..

MrPOTUS:
What is this one saying


Seems you don't understand what going public means


How can the business really grow without investments?

Do you know how much investors have poured into the business?

Do you know what his net worth has jumped to?


You think the man is doing it because he cares about Nigerians.

njokuuche77:
Alot of people don't understand shares. Let me break it down

When you buy retail shares in this Dangote Refinery IPO, you are becoming a micro-owner. If the refinery issues billions of shares and you buy a few thousands, your ownership is less than 0.001%. Dangote remains the majority owner and decision-maker; your small stake does not give you boardroom access or operational control.

How you actually make money (The Benefits):
Dividends: If the refinery refines crude successfully and generates a net profit, the board may distribute a portion of that cash to you per share.
Capital Gains: If the refinery dominates the African fuel market, the stock price will rise. You profit only if you sell your shares later at a higher price than you bought them.

The Reality Check (The Risks & Timeline):
No Guaranteed Returns: This is not a bank deposit. If the refinery faces crude supply shortages, currency devaluations, or operational shutdowns, the share price will drop, and you can lose your money.
It requires long-term patience: As Dangote mentioned, even his Fertiliser IPO is pushed to 2028. Do not invest your rent or feeding money expecting quick daily returns. It is a long-term play.

TheStoriesOfMan:
Na Your fellow APC supporter you dey banter like that?

Na wa ooo

Wickedfacts:
When kings are talking, descendants of conquered people should shut it.