President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described four of Nigeria’s most influential businessmen, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Jim Ovia, and Abdulsamad Rabiu, as the “four wise men” of Nigeria’s economy, praising their bold investments and unwavering faith in the country’s future.
The comment was made during the President’s tour of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant on Thursday, where he also commissioned the newly completed Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road projects, which he described as monumental testaments to Nigeria’s industrial promise.
“I landed here with four wise men. I will say wise men,” Tinubu declared. “Jim Ovia of reputable Zenith Bank, who has been acknowledged worldwide. Femi Otedola, my baby brother. Samad Rabiu of BUA. And I believe the wisest of them all, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is so daring in thinking, doing, and believing in his own country.”
The moment was more than just ceremonial. According to sources close to the event, the President and the four men rode together in a bus as they toured the expansive refinery complex.
“There was a lot of laughter and informal conversation,” said one source exclusively to Nairametrics. “It was a rare display of trust and alignment between political leadership and business power.”
President Tinubu was visibly impressed by the progress at the Dangote Refinery, which he called “a great point of reference, a great phenomenon of our time, and a massive investment.” He thanked Dangote for his boldness in pursuing a project of such scale and for showing that “Nigeria can do big things.”
He also highlighted the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, which he initiated as governor of Lagos State, as evidence of long-term planning paying off.
“I am happy that the Deep Sea Port I initiated as Governor of Lagos State is a huge success today,” Tinubu said. “Users save vast amounts of money using this port because they no longer need to trans-ship their goods.”
The President commended the access road constructed by Dangote Industries under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme, applauding both the company and its subcontractor, Hitech Construction.
Responding to the President’s remarks, Aliko Dangote thanked Tinubu for laying the groundwork that made the refinery and the Lekki Industrial Corridor possible.
“This vision was yours, long before it became popular,” he said. “We are merely executing it.”
Also present at the event was Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most prominent philanthropists. His presence signaled global interest in Nigeria’s economic reforms and private sector-led growth.
Each of the “wise men” named by Tinubu plays a major role in Nigeria’s economic landscape. Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank, helped build one of the country’s strongest financial institutions.
Femi Otedola has evolved from oil trading into strategic boardroom influence, including his position on the First HoldCo board. Abdulsamad Rabiu has expanded BUA Group into a manufacturing giant. And Aliko Dangote, with his $19 billion refinery, remains the face of industrial boldness in Africa.
Together, they control massive assets and have demonstrated a shared belief in Nigeria’s long-term potential. Tinubu’s gesture of calling them the “wise men” was not just rhetorical; it was a statement of intent. If Nigeria is to be re-industrialized, it will take a coalition of private sector visionaries and public sector support.
For a country that has often struggled to convert policy into progress, the event was a glimpse into what’s possible when vision, capital, and political will move in the same direction.
