Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has publicly praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “visionary leadership” in an open letter. Dangote specifically commended Tinubu for his efforts in addressing ocean surges and flooding in Victoria Island, developing a new Atlantic city, and significantly expanding the country’s infrastructure through projects like the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways.
The letter, posted by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, highlights Tinubu’s “foresightedness” in the Bar Beach Land Reclamation project in Victoria Island, Lagos. Dangote noted how this project transformed a flood-prone coastline into a thriving new district, attracting investment and fostering socioeconomic growth since its conception in 2008. He drew a parallel with a tragic flash flood incident in Kerr County, Texas, USA, emphasizing the importance of projects like Eko Atlantic City, which spans 1,000 hectares and is protected by an 8.5-kilometer-long sea wall, safeguarding Victoria Island from coastal erosion.
Dangote hailed this success story, now used for residential, business, and recreational purposes, as one of Tinubu’s many legacies benefiting Victoria Island residents. He applauded the President’s “exemplary intervention” in ending the era of ocean surges and continuously tackling perennial flooding in areas such as Ahmadu Bello Way, Akin Adesola Street, and others.
Furthermore, Dangote commended Tinubu for initiating the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and resurrecting the 48-year-old Sokoto-Badagry superhighway. He noted that these projects, handled by Hitech Construction Company Limited, significantly enrich Nigeria’s infrastructure and improve the national road network linking all six geopolitical zones.
The industrialist drew a comparison to land reclamation processes in Zeeland, Netherlands, where submerged land was transformed into usable dry land to combat flooding, showcasing Dutch ingenuity. Dangote concluded by saluting President Tinubu for a similar ethos demonstrated in the Bar Beach project.
