I’d rather go to prison than lose my phone — Dangote

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said he would rather go to prison than surrender his mobile phone, describing the device as indispensable to his daily activities.

According to Daily Trust, Dangote made the remarks during an event in Lagos where he unveiled his Vision 2030 industrialisation plan.

Asked to choose between spending a week without his phone and losing access to his private jet, the billionaire said surrendering his phone was unthinkable.

“Ah… I think it’s easier you put me in prison than to take my phone away. So, you know, I mean taking my phone away is no-go area, okay?” he said.

Dangote also disclosed that his phone contains thousands of personal and professional contacts.

“I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said.

Explaining the large number, he added, “I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people.”

Dangote heads the Dangote Group, with investments spanning cement, fertiliser, manufacturing and petroleum refining.