Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, has started a historic ₦100 billion yearly scholarship initiative to help tens of thousands of Nigerian students and improve access to high-quality education across the country.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, formally unveiled the ₦100 billion Aliko Dangote Scholarship on Thursday in Lagos. Government officials, leaders in education, and representatives of civil society attended the occasion.
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As part of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Education Scholarship Initiative, Dangote unveiled a new scholarship programme that aims to increase educational possibilities for Nigerian students at all educational levels, from secondary school to postsecondary institutions.
One of the biggest private-sector investments in education in recent Nigerian history, the programme is anticipated to disburse ₦100 billion annually.
The foundation estimates that the scholarship programme will assist an estimated 1,325,000 students nationally by 2036, with a ten-year duration and a total investment of about ₦1 trillion.
After the first few years of implementation, the initial goals are to support up to 155,000 Nigerian students annually; expansion is planned to further increase access to high-quality education.
Vice President Kashim Shettima commended Dangote’s charitable leadership during the launch event, characterising the programme as “structural, generational, and visionary”—a private investment model that enhances human capital development throughout Nigeria and supports government reforms.
Shettima underlined that in order to leverage Nigeria’s demographic advantages and lessen structural inequality, education must be prioritised nationally.
Dangote personally emphasised the importance of education in the country’s development, saying that the initiative will assist in guaranteeing that young Nigerians have the resources they need to succeed academically and compete internationally.
In order to maintain accountability and equity, he further promised that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), WAEC, NECO, and other government organisations will collaborate in the transparent and merit-based selection of recipients.
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Who Can Benefit from the Aliko Dangote Foundation Scholarship?
| Category | Support Provided |
| Secondary School Students | Tuition, fees, and learning materials support to keep students in school and improve performance |
| University & Polytechnic Students | Fee coverage and living stipends to reduce dropouts due to financial constraints |
| Students with Disabilities | Reserved slots ensure more equitable access across demographics |
| TVET Students | Support for vocational skills development that aligns with workforce needs |
Aliko Dangote’s ₦100 billion yearly scholarship program is a pivotal point in Nigeria’s educational history.
