The search for success often boils down to three trains of thought. For some, it is to triumph through grit and guts, in the quest to profit from hard work and amass huge material wealth. For others, it is to blaze a trail, to innovate trends and styles that change the course of normal living, to lead and for others to follow. And yet for some, it is simply the pursuit of immortality, to be widely acclaimed and recognised, for all times, for uncommon grounds covered, for heights attained, for doing what others would not attempt, and transforming multitudes of lives. For Aliko Dangote, a truly business mogul and extraordinary entrepreneur, success is all of the above.

Beneath his simple gait and frame, his harmless mien, and his soft words lie a rambunctious revolutionary spirit. It is a spirit dissatisfied with following the normal routine and order of things, that challenges conventional ways. It is one that believes that nothing is impossible to accomplish when you set your mind to work on it. Above all, it is one that does not flinch at the rigour of hardwork. It dreams of creating a greater possibility. It envisions a world far different from the present reality, a new outcome that makes men king. He became the richest man in Africa, but he kept going.

Aliko Dangote was unfazed when he opted to invest in production of many things, especially cement. The terrain was uncertain, the policies were shifty, the men that managed the land, did not possess such oversized vision that would have enabled them to see tomorrow. He probably benefited from both their goodwill and favour, as well as their ignorance and indifference. But so did many people who quickly fell by the wayside. But Dangote kept going. Soon, Nigeria became too small to contain him. He cast his sights far and wide in all regions of the African continent. He saw that Africa was about to take off, and that when that happens, it would need to build itself up. He wanted to be the builder of modern Africa. In doing this, he sought to accomplish what no other Nigerian, not even government had done, namely, attempt to mould Africa in an envisioned image. In the event, Aliko Dangote became a Nigerian ambassador, the pan-Africanist, the visionary leader, qualities that made him the clear choice of our editorial board as The Guardian’s Man of the Year 2015.

His story is told by Dr. Sylvester Odion Akhaine and Dr. Tony Okeregbe, members of the board, here.