Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said he would prefer going to prison to being separated from his mobile phone, describing the device as indispensable to his daily life and business activities.
Dangote made the remark while answering a question about whether he could spend a week without his phone or private jet, explaining that losing access to his phone would be particularly difficult for him.
“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,” the billionaire industrialist said.
He disclosed that he had retained the same phone number since 2000 and had accumulated more than 13,000 contacts, adding that he was reluctant to block people who could reach him through the number.
Dangote said he generally responds to calls from people who have his contact, making it difficult for him to imagine staying without the device for an extended period.
He illustrated the frequency of calls he receives by recounting an occasion when he was with an associate and their attempt to watch a film was repeatedly interrupted by his ringing phone.
The business mogul also spoke about his driving habits, revealing that he sometimes gets behind the wheel himself without a driver or security personnel accompanying him.
Recalling an encounter with an associate, Samad, Dangote said the man was surprised to learn that he had driven himself to a meeting. He added jokingly that he considered himself a better driver than his regular driver.
