Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has called on Nigerians to end the practice of seeking medical treatment abroad and instead focus on developing the country’s pharmaceutical industry.
Speaking at a panel session during the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event held in Lagos on Wednesday, Dangote stressed the need for local drug production and improved healthcare access for all Nigerians, including the wealthy.
“We need to put a stop to this health tourism. It’s time we started producing our own medicines,” Dangote said. “When we fall sick, we shouldn’t have to travel abroad. All of us should be treated here in Nigeria. That’s why we need to partner with Bill Gates.”
He pointed to the longstanding collaboration between the Dangote Foundation and the Gates Foundation, noting their success in eradicating polio in Nigeria and efforts to improve nutrition across the country.
On the business front, Dangote highlighted how his conglomerate has played a transformative role in key sectors. He noted that Nigeria, once the world’s second-largest importer of cement, is now the top cement exporter in Africa, thanks to investments by his company.
He also recalled the previous challenges farmers faced in accessing fertilizer, which has been addressed through the establishment of the world’s second-largest fertilizer plant by the Dangote Group.
“Today, 37% of our fertilizer production is exported to the United States,” he said.
Turning to the oil and gas sector, Dangote spoke about the landmark achievement of constructing a 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which he said has revolutionized Nigeria’s petroleum industry. According to him, the Dangote Refinery exported 400,000 metric tons of petrol in May 2025 alone, ending the country’s reliance on imported fuel.
The Goalkeepers event, hosted in Lagos for the first time by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, convened global leaders, policymakers, and changemakers to evaluate progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Among the dignitaries present were Bill Gates, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
