Prominent Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist, Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has died at the age of 94.
His aide, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the news in a statement issued early Saturday.
“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings. The Janazah details will be shared later insha Allah,” Junaid wrote.
Dantata was widely known not only for his business acumen but also for his deep philanthropic commitment to Northern Nigeria.
He was the granduncle of Aliko Dangote, the richest black man on the Forbes list. His father, Alhassan Dantata, is often credited as Nigeria’s first millionaire, and one of the most affluent West Africans in the early 20th century.
Dantata served as Commissioner for Planning and Development in Kano from 1967 to 1972. His impact, however, resonated more profoundly in business circles and social development efforts.
He founded Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd and played a key role in establishing Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s pioneering Islamic bank.
As the first chancellor of Al-Qalam University in Katsina, Dantata was also instrumental in shaping educational development in the North. Through the Kano State Endowment Fund, which he helped initiate, he provided grants to support small-scale businesses and educational programmes across the state.
His philanthropic footprints include the donation of the Alhassan Dantata Haemodialysis Centre to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
