As part of efforts to strengthen its policy intelligence amid volatile global and domestic markets, Dangote Group has appointed renowned economist and former Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Mahmud Hassan, as its Group Chief Economist, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the conglomerate’s economic advisory capacity amid growing global and domestic market uncertainty.
In his new role, Dr Hassan will serve as the Group’s principal adviser on macroeconomic strategy, market trends, and policy developments, providing high-level economic intelligence to guide business decisions across Dangote Industries Limited’s diverse portfolio. He will report directly to the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote.
The appointment comes at a time of heightened volatility in global commodity markets, fluctuating exchange rates, evolving monetary policies, and structural reforms within Nigeria’s economy—factors with significant implications for large, diversified industrial groups such as Dangote.
Dr Hassan brings over three decades of experience in economic policy formulation, central banking, and financial sector regulation. During his distinguished career at the CBN, he held several strategic leadership positions, including Director of the Trade and Exchange Department and Director of the Monetary Policy Department. He also served as Secretary to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Nigeria’s highest monetary policy-making body, and as Special Assistant on Economic Policy and Research to the CBN Governor.
Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Dr Hassan has contributed to regional and continental economic initiatives.
He served as a lead consultant to the African Union Commission, supporting trade integration efforts and playing a role in the conceptualization and establishment of the African Monetary Fund—key pillars of Africa’s long-term economic integration agenda.
Academically, Dr Hassan holds a PhD in Economics and an MSc in Energy Economics and Policy from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School and holds professional certifications as a Bank Examiner and Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Analyst.
He is a Fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Statistical Association, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and the Compliance Institute of Nigeria. Widely published, Dr Hassan’s research spans macroeconomics, monetary policy, energy economics, and financial engineering.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dr Hassan remains active in academia as a visiting professor at several Nigerian universities. He also currently serves as President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics.
Industry analysts say the appointment underscores Dangote Industries Limited’s commitment to deep economic insight, evidence-based strategy, and policy intelligence as it expands operations across Nigeria, Africa, and global markets.
