Aliko Dangote has pledged $1.1 million over five years to support postgraduate business education at Bayero University Kano’s Dangote Business School in Nigeria. The funding, disbursed through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will provide annual scholarships that cover half the tuition fees for eligible MBA, entrepreneurship, and management students. Currently, the Dangote Business School enrolls 1,225 postgraduate students, all of whom may benefit from this scholarship program. This initiative is aligned with a broader strategy of billionaire-led investments in education and entrepreneurship across Africa.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation has pledged a significant five-year financial commitment to support students at the Dangote Business School (DBS), part of Bayero University Kano. The funding is specifically designed to aid postgraduates pursuing degrees in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, and Management.
Funding Structure and Student Impact
The scholarship program involves a total annual disbursement of N300 million (approx. $222,883) over the next five years. Key details include:
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Start Date: The program kicks off in the 2024/2025 academic session.
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Per-Student Support: Eligible students will receive N150,000 per session.
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Tuition Coverage: This grant covers 50% of the current N300,000 annual tuition fee at the institution.
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Scale: With 1,225 postgraduate students currently enrolled, the framework is designed to alleviate financial strain for the entire qualified student body.
Representing the foundation, Mariya Aliko Dangote emphasized that the initiative is a strategic move to foster economic growth: “Our goal is to transform human capital into tangible economic opportunities. By investing in business education, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to turn knowledge into innovation, enterprise, and sustainable jobs.”
This move aligns Dangote with other prominent African billionaires such as Tony Elumelu, Strive Masiyiwa, and Patrice Motsepe who are increasingly using private wealth to bridge the skills gap on the continent. These leaders view high-level business education and entrepreneurship as vital tools for Africa’s industrialization and long-term global competitiveness.
By focusing on advanced managerial training, the Aliko Dangote Foundation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s private sector workforce.