I want to state from the onset that Chukwudi Iwuchukwu should reconsider his irresponsible castigation of Obi Cubana and his guests indirectly and focus primarily on his Peace Mass Transit in peace. Most Nigerian billionaires flaunt their wealth in different ways, from political office holders to senior civil servants, business moguls to the children of the rich.
Dangote's hedonistic folly knows no limits, and in fact, it far exceeds Obi Cubana's perceived showbiz flamboyance. Obi Cubana has always been a gentle head compared to the likes of Eze Ego, Obidiozo, Dino Melaye, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga, & co. Obi Cubana's business model is more genuine and his lifestyle more conservative.
Aliko Dangote flaunts a Bombardier Global Express 6000, valued at over $45 million, used for business and personal travel, and reserves a N5 billion mansion in Abuja.
Apart from his global headquarters in Lagos: An 18-floor skyscraper in Ikoyi, Lagos, Dangote's Luxury residences in high-end locations in Ikoyi, Dubai, and London are worth billions. Dangote's family office in Dubai is a classic show of opulence and flamboyance giving the cost.
Dangote is 68 years old as of 2025, with decades of experience in business and entrepreneurship, yet see the cars in his collection : Bugatti Veyron - worth approximately ₦1.5 billion, Maybach 57S Knight Luxury, valued at ₦364 million,
Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, Bentley Mulsanne, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Range Rover Vogue, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus GX etc.
For you to call a man that mounts all these liabilities as conservative is scary and stupendously unethical. A man who doesn't only deploy aggressive greed in the field of industry, a bull-type aggression that is in the eye of the public, you call him conservative?
Critics of Dangote's business muscle argue that his practices contribute to high prices and limited options for consumers.His trucks openly engage in avoidable accidents and even in certain cases have been known to damage roads. Additionally, his political connections and sponsorships have raised questions about the ethical implications of his influence.
The narrative of conservatism, often invoked to justify wealth accumulation, or to attack the likes of Obi Cubana, must be redefined to include accountability and ethical responsibility. True conservatism is not about hoarding resources or exploiting markets; or not posting an already known private jet on Instagram, it is about stewardship and the sustainable management of wealth for the benefit of society. As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, the role of its wealthiest citizens in addressing these issues cannot be overstated. Ethical capitalism demands that wealth creation be accompanied by social responsibility. This includes fair pricing, quality assurance, and investments in community development. When these principles are ignored, wealth becomes a tool of oppression rather than a force for good.
Dangote's empire, built on cement, sugar, and other essential commodities, is a textbook example of monopoly in action. There is nothing conservative about Dangoteism. By controlling significant portions of Nigeria's industrial landscape, Dangote's companies have effectively stifled competition, creating an environment where prices are dictated by a single entity. Cement, a cornerstone of infrastructure development, is a glaring example. While Nigerians pay exorbitant prices for cement of questionable quality, reports suggest that the same product exported abroad meets higher standards at lower costs. This duality raises questions about the ethical obligations of corporations to their domestic markets.
The terminology conservativism rests on the bench of ethical capitalism: Aliko Dangote, doesn't stand a chance when compared to a 50 year old Generation X billionaire such as Obi Cubana who has financially contributed to thousands of youth courses and projects even at his level.
Dangote's financial contributions to political campaigns and his alleged sponsorship of politicians have raised concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's democratic processes. When economic power is wielded to influence political outcomes, the result is often policies that favor the elite at the expense of the populace. This form of "political commerce" undermines the principles of democracy and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and dependency. Further, implying that Dangote's capitalism lacks ethics and conservativism : Even in the oil industry today, his entrance shows arrant pursuit for domination and leadership over older players without caution or restraint.
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