Middle East crisis may force remote work in Nigeria – Dangote

Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict could compel Nigeria and other African countries to reintroduce COVID-19-style remote work arrangements if tensions persist.

Dangote gave the warning on Monday after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos, citing growing concerns over oil price volatility and its ripple effects on fragile African economies.

According to him, “If this thing doesn’t de-escalate, some people, if they don’t work that day, they won’t eat.”

He noted that some countries, including Indonesia, have already adopted shorter work weeks and are considering full remote work to cope with rising energy costs.

“We will do like that time of COVID, where people will work from home.

“People who are barbers, people who make bread, people who have industries, you can see what is happening,” he said, stressing that small businesses reliant on generators would be hardest hit.

Dangote also called for urgent global efforts to de-escalate the conflict, noting that prolonged instability would deepen economic hardship across the continent.

On President Tinubu’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, Dangote expressed optimism that a £746 million infrastructure deal would boost investor confidence in Nigeria.