By Abiola Olawale
The business community and many citizens have been thrown into mourning following the death of Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a titan of industry and philanthropy, who passed away at the age of 94 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after a prolonged illness.
The news was confirmed early Saturday by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, who shared a heartfelt message: “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. It is with a 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.”
Junaid said, Dantata, uncle to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is survived by seven children, including Alhaji Tajuddeen Aminu Dantata, and numerous grandchildren.
He also announced that the details of his Muslim funeral prayer (Janazah) will be announced in due course.
Born on May 19, 1931, in Kano, Dantata was a towering figure in Nigeria’s business landscape, renowned for expanding the Dantata family empire, one of West Africa’s most influential business dynasties.
He inherited and grew the legacy of his father, Alhassan Dantata, a prominent merchant and one of the region’s wealthiest men in the early 20th century.
Aminu Dantata diversified the family’s ventures into sectors such as construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and oil and gas, notably founding Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd. and playing a pivotal role in establishing Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first non-interest (Islamic) bank.
Beyond commerce, Dantata was a dedicated philanthropist, investing heavily in education, skills acquisition, and youth empowerment, particularly in northern Nigeria.
His contributions extended to public service, including a stint in the Kano State Government and as a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee for Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution.
