Dantata, granduncle to Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, was the son of Alhassan Dantata, regarded as the first Nigerian millionaire.
Prominent Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has died at the age of 94. His aide, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the news on 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, granduncle to Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, was the son of Alhassan Dantata, regarded as the first Nigerian millionaire. He served as Kano’s commissioner for planning and development from 1967 to 1972 and was deeply influential in northern Nigeria’s business landscape.
He founded Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd, co-organised Jaiz Bank, and served as Al-Qalam University’s first chancellor. A noted philanthropist, he funded the Alhassan Dantata Haemodialysis Centre at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and supported education and small-scale entrepreneurs through the Kano State Endowment Fund.