Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a towering figure in Nigeria’s business and philanthropic circles, has died at the age of 94.
His aide, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed his passing in the early hours of Saturday.
Dantata, granduncle to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, hailed from a family renowned for its immense wealth and influence. His father, Alhassan Dantata, was Nigeria’s first recorded millionaire and one of West Africa’s wealthiest men in the early 20th century. The Dantata dynasty laid the foundation for modern commerce in Northern Nigeria, with Aminu further expanding the family’s business empire.
Beyond business, Dantata served as Kano State’s Commissioner for Planning and Development from 1967 to 1972. He was a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector as the founder of Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd and played a pivotal role in establishing Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first non-interest bank.
A devout philanthropist, Dantata was the first Chancellor of Al-Qalam University in Katsina and a major contributor to the Kano State Endowment Fund, which supports education and small-scale entrepreneurs. His generosity extended to healthcare, notably funding the Alhassan Dantata Haemodialysis Centre at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
His death marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s business and political elite. Tributes have poured in from across the country, celebrating his legacy of enterprise, leadership, and charity. Funeral details will be announced shortly.
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