Amanze Chinonye
Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote on Thursday launched a N100 billion annual education initiative aimed at reducing financial barriers that prevent millions of Nigerian children from completing their education.
The programme, projected to cost over N1 trillion over the next decade, is expected to benefit 1.3 million students across all 774 local government areas, Prime Business Africa reports.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Dangote described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. “Every child we keep in school strengthens our economy. Every student we support reduces inequality. Every scholar we empower becomes a future contributor to national development,” he said.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe initiative is structured around four key programmes:
- Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars will fund 30,000 undergraduates annually in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across Nigeria’s public universities and polytechnics.
- Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars will provide support to 5,000 students annually in public technical and vocational institutions, covering tools, materials, and essential training.
- MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars, named after Dangote’s daughters Mariya, Halima, and Fatima, will support 20,000 public-school girls annually, from junior secondary to senior secondary levels, with continued support into tertiary education.
- Dangote Teacher Training Programme will develop secondary-school STEM teachers, beginning with 10,000 educators in schools attended by MHF scholars and expanding across all six geopolitical zones.
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Dangote emphasized that financial hardship, not lack of talent, is the main reason many students drop out. He said the programme is designed as a complement to government initiatives, urging collaboration between the private sector, government, communities, and families.
The Foundation will implement a fully digital, merit-based system for verification, disbursement, and monitoring, partnering with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO. A Programme Steering Committee, chaired by His Highness Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, Emir of Lafia, will oversee implementation.
Highlighting his long-term commitment, Dangote revealed that he intends to allocate 25 percent of his personal wealth to the Foundation, with progress to be reviewed in 2030 as part of the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima described the initiative as the “largest private-sector education support intervention in the history of this country,” noting that “a population becomes a liability only when it is uneducated.”
Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the programme aligns with the Tinubu administration’s agenda to transform Nigeria from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of the 36 state governors, pledged their support, while traditional leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, commended Dangote’s commitment to national development.
The initiative builds on the Foundation’s existing education investments, including university hostels, the Mu Shuka Iri early-learning programme in Kano, the Aliko Dangote School for Orphan Girls in Maiduguri, and a N15 billion pledge to upgrade the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudi.
Dangote concluded, “We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience, and leadership. Your dreams matter. Your education matters. Your future matters. We are investing in you, and we are committed to ensuring that you do not walk this journey alone.”
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
