Dangote's longtime friend, Bismarck
Rewane, CEO of consultancy firm Financial Derivatives, in an interview
with Reuters recalled a business dinner they had at Eko Hotel in
Victoria Island. According to Rewane, when he and the billionaire
businessman left in Dangote's black Mercedes, the hotel staff had
charged 5,000 Naira for parking, which was in excess, but nothing for a
man of Dangote's wealth.
Suspecting the rip-off, Rewane said Dangote negotiated it down to 1,000 Naira. In Rewane's words, "He (Dangote) spent a good few minutes doing it. I said to him: 'let's just go. Our time is more valuable than a few thousand naira. But he wouldn't let it go. He smiled afterward. He was so happy he'd got a good deal."
Suspecting the rip-off, Rewane said Dangote negotiated it down to 1,000 Naira. In Rewane's words, "He (Dangote) spent a good few minutes doing it. I said to him: 'let's just go. Our time is more valuable than a few thousand naira. But he wouldn't let it go. He smiled afterward. He was so happy he'd got a good deal."
Although his net worth is about
$14.1billion as of today, Aliko Dangote deplores being wasteful with
money. The billionaire CEO/founder of Dangote Group is Africa's
richest man.
Dangote owns a private jet, a yacht as
well as choice properties in Ikoyi, and Victoria Island, exclusive
playgrounds of ultra-wealthy Nigerians in Lagos. By the standards of
some Nigerian billionaires, Dangote is not that extravagant, but is
not always so frugal.
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