The Aliko Dangote Foundation, chaired by Africa’s richest man, has committed ₦1 trillion ($688 million) to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector over the next ten years, marking one of the largest private philanthropic investments in the country’s schooling system.
The initiative will start next year by supporting 45,000 students, with plans to expand to 1.33 million beneficiaries over a decade. It will prioritise students in STEM fields, girls’ education, and nationwide teacher training, according to Business Insider Africa.
Earlier this year, Dangote was named among TIME’s Top 100 Philanthropists alongside fellow African business leaders Patrice Motsepe, Strive Masiyiwa, and Mo Ibrahim.
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Addressing Nigeria’s education crisis, Dangote said the investment targets deep-rooted inequalities, noting that one in every five out-of-school children globally lives in Nigeria, and more than half of the country’s 230 million people face poverty.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people,” he said.
The initiative focuses on students most at risk of dropping out and those whose potential can drive community transformation.
“This is not only charity. This is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future,” Dangote added. “Every child we keep in school strengthens our economy. Every student we support reduces inequality.”
Endowed with $1.25 billion in 2014, the Aliko Dangote Foundation invests an average of $35 million annually across Africa, reflecting the growing role of philanthropy in tackling the continent’s developmental challenges.
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Image Credit: african.folder
