‘We Will Come’ – Dangote Accepts Bae U Barbie’s Show Invitation

Kehinde Adeleye

Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has accepted an invitation from Nigerian content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Bae U Barbie, to appear on his YouTube show, Curiosity Made Me Ask, as he pledged to engage more with younger Nigerians.

Dangote gave the indication on Monday during a visit by the content creator to Dangote Refinery in Lagos, where Bae U urged the billionaire to speak directly to younger audiences interested in his business and the planned initial public offering (IPO) of his company.

Bae U argued that many of Dangote’s previous interviews had appeared on platforms that younger Nigerians might not typically watch, despite their interest in his business journey and investment opportunities.

“Most of the interviews we’ve seen you have been on platforms that my generation don’t watch,” he said.

The content creator explained that his show could provide an opportunity for Dangote to connect with young people, adding that his invitation was not a call for the billionaire to replace his existing media team.

He subsequently asked when Dangote would appear on Curiosity Made Me Ask.

Responding, Dangote said young people represented the country’s future and that older generations needed to share their experiences with them.

“Honestly, the future that we have is actually you, the youth. We, our own generation, really, we have not really done very well for Nigeria and also for Africa. That’s the truth,” he said.

The billionaire stressed the importance of conversations between older and younger Nigerians, saying such engagements would allow the younger generation to learn from past experiences and contribute to the country’s development.

“So we need to sit down with some of you and discuss our own experience with you,” he added.

Dangote also observed that younger Nigerians might have limited knowledge of some historical political developments and prominent figures, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an example.

Bae U interjected, saying, “Thanks to me. I gave him the platform, sir,” apparently referring to his own interview with Obasanjo.

Dangote agreed that content platforms targeting younger audiences offered an opportunity to reach a generation whose support and interest he valued.

“So really, you are right. Going forward, this sort of audience is the audience that we, somebody like me, should actually face,” he said.

He also spoke about his interactions with members of the public, including young Nigerians who approach him for photographs during his travels.

Dangote said people around him sometimes tried to discourage such encounters, but he preferred to oblige those who wanted pictures with him.

Recalling an experience from his youth, he said he and his grandfather had once met prominent personalities in Washington and asked to take photographs with them. He explained that the experience influenced his willingness to take pictures with members of the public.

The businessman also dismissed suggestions that a photograph of him shared on social media was an appeal for further blessings.

“I wasn’t begging for anything. What I was saying, I was just saying that, God, you have overblessed me,” he said.

Dangote indicated his willingness to participate in an informal conversation with younger Nigerians, where they could ask questions about his business journey and how he built his success.

“We will come,” he said in response to Bae U’s invitation.

He added that he wanted the proposed conversation to be open, giving young people the opportunity to ask questions about his experiences and achievements.