Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has accepted an invitation to appear on Nigerian comedian Isbae U’s YouTube programme, Curiosity Made Me Ask, in a move that could bring the billionaire’s business journey to a younger audience.

Dangote accepted the invitation during the comedian’s visit to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos on Monday, October 19, after Isbae U challenged him to engage more directly with young Nigerians through platforms they regularly watch.

The exchange, which circulated widely on social media, centred on the need for the billionaire to reach a generation increasingly interested in his business ventures and potential investment opportunities.

Isbae U, whose real name is Adebayo Abidemi, told Dangote that many of his previous interviews had appeared on platforms that younger Nigerians rarely watched.

He argued that young people were an important audience for the businessman’s ventures, particularly those interested in his investments and the proposed opportunity to buy shares in his company.

“I really think it’s high time we had the man with the biggest refinery on the biggest show on YouTube,” the comedian said while asking when Dangote would appear on the programme.

Responding to the invitation, Dangote agreed to participate and expressed willingness to share lessons from his journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest businessmen.

He said his experiences could help younger Nigerians understand the importance of humility and simplicity, regardless of their achievements or social standing.

Dangote illustrated his point by recounting how a friend, the prime minister of Ethiopia, once told him he had served for years without using a personal driver, with his wife driving him on an official trip.

The billionaire said such experiences reinforced his belief that success should not make people consider themselves superior to others.

He also welcomed the opportunity to engage younger Nigerians, describing them as central to the future of Nigeria and Africa.

Dangote acknowledged that older generations had not done enough for Nigeria and Africa, stressing the importance of conversations that allow young people to learn from the experiences of those who came before them.

He expressed concern that many young Nigerians had limited knowledge of the country’s political history and past leaders, including former President Shehu Shagari.

According to him, conversations with younger audiences could help bridge that knowledge gap while creating opportunities to discuss the country’s future.

The businessman also spoke about his relationship with admirers who approach him for photographs, saying he prefers to accommodate them despite occasional objections from members of his entourage.

He recalled travelling to Washington with his late grandfather when they met prominent personalities, including boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and were allowed to take photographs with them.

Dangote said those memories influenced his decision to make time for people who approach him for pictures today.

He also dismissed suggestions that a photograph of him shared online was an attempt to seek further blessings, explaining that his remarks were intended to express gratitude to God for his achievements.

The planned appearance on Curiosity Made Me Ask would add Dangote to a programme that has featured prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and veteran actors Richard Mofe-Damijo and Pete Edochie.