A Life of Generosity, Enterprise & National Impact
It is with profound sadness that we report the passing of Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a towering figure in Nigerian business and philanthropy. Born on May 19, 1931, in Kano, he departed on June 28, 2025, at the age of 94, after a brief illness at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Family Confirms the Loss
His Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, broke the news via Facebook early Saturday, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father… May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings.” Funeral details will follow as per Islamic tradition.
Business Titan with a Touch for Legacy
Expanding the Empire
Aminu Dantata took over the family business, Alhassan Dantata & Sons, in 1960, diversifying into petroleum, real estate, banking (founding Express Petroleum & Gas and helping establish Jaiz Bank), manufacturing, and construction.
Public Service
He served as Kano State’s Commissioner for Planning & Development (1967–1972) and was a member of the Northern House of Assembly before that.
Philanthropy & Nation-Building
Education & Health Infrastructure
His philanthropy funded schools, health centres—including the Alhassan Dantata Haemodialysis Centre—and mosques, especially in northern Nigeria.
Disaster Relief & Youth Empowerment
In September 2024, he donated ₦1.5 billion to Maiduguri flood victims. He also championed educational grants and youth ventures through the Kano State Foundation.
Mentorship & Governance
As the first Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, and a member of Nigeria’s 1979 Constitutional Drafting Committee, his influence spanned beyond business.
Legacy & Tributes
Elder Statesman
Northern governors, led by Gombe State’s Muhammadu Yahaya, mourned his demise as the end of an era defined by “visionary enterprise, uncommon generosity, rare humility, and integrity.”
Global Recognition
Dantata’s life earned him honorary degrees and cemented his reputation as both a commanding businessman and a devout humanitarian.
Final Word
Aminu Dantata’s departure leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: one of business brilliance, public service, and heartfelt generosity. An uncle to Aliko Dangote and heir to Alhassan Dantata’s legacy, he shaped Northern Nigeria’s economic and social landscape for over six decades.
As his family, community, and the nation prepare to honor him in a monumental jana’iza gathering, his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development will be celebrated for generations to come.
What’s Next?
Funeral Arrangements: Await formal announcements from the family.
Tributes & Memorials: Expect dedications in Kano, Abuja, Maiduguri, and beyond.
Legacy Projects: Look out for announcements on the continuation and expansion of his philanthropic ventures.
