By Ayomide Otitoju
The Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled a landmark ₦1 trillion national scholarship programme aimed at expanding access to education and supporting academic excellence across Nigeria. The initiative, which begins in 2026, will provide annual funding of ₦100 billion for 10 years and is expected to benefit more than 1.3 million students from all 774 local government areas.
Designed to target Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners, the scheme comprises three categories:
- Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars – 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics will receive tuition support of up to ₦600,000 annually.
- Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars – 5,000 TVET trainees will receive essential study materials and technical tools.
- MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars – 10,000 girls in public schools will be provided uniforms, books, and learning supplies, with priority given to states with high out-of-school populations.
The programme will be delivered in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC, and NECO, using a merit-based, fully digital system for verification, selection, and disbursement.
Dangote described the scholarship as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital, explaining that financial hardship remains the biggest barrier to education for millions of students. “Every child we keep in school strengthens our economy. Every student we support reduces inequality,” he said. He added that the initiative aligns with government education reforms and will contribute to long-term national development.
A Programme Steering Committee chaired by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, has been inaugurated to oversee implementation. Dangote also disclosed a commitment to allocate 25% of his wealth to sustain the foundation’s long-term activities, with progress on the scholarship scheme to be reviewed under the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led government officials at the launch, hailed the initiative as the largest private-sector education intervention in Nigeria’s history. He said the move underscores the critical role of private philanthropy in national development and aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s Human Capital Index.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the programme as “pure human capital development,” noting that every local government area will benefit. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of state governors, commended Dangote’s commitment and pledged their support.
Other dignitaries, including the Emir of Lafia, the Ooni of Ife, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, praised the initiative as transformational and a major boost to Nigeria’s education sector.
With an estimated 170,000 girls expected to benefit by the end of the programme’s first decade, the scholarship is poised to become the most extensive private-sector educational support scheme in Nigeria’s history, reinforcing the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s mission to uplift communities and expand opportunities nationwide.
