Dangote Launches Landmark ₦1 Trillion Scholarship Scheme to Support 1.3 Million Nigerian Students

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), unveiled a ₦1 trillion national scholarship program designed to expand access to education and strengthen human capital development across Nigeria on Thursday.

The initiative, which takes off in 2026, will run for 10 years with an annual commitment of ₦100 billion. More than 1.3 million students from all 774 local government areas are expected to benefit.Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Mr Dangote said the scholarship scheme aims to support Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners, noting that many young people drop out of school due to financial hardship rather than lack of ability. He described the intervention as a strategic investment in the country’s future, insisting that every child kept in school strengthens the economy and reduces inequality.

The program is structured in three components. The Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars category will support 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics, who will receive up to ₦600,000 annually for tuition. The Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars component will support 5,000 trainees in technical and vocational institutions with essential tools and learning materials. The MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars scheme will provide uniforms, books and learning supplies to 10,000 girls in public secondary schools, with priority given to states with large out-of-school populations.

To guarantee transparency, the Foundation will use a fully digital and merit-based selection process, implemented in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO. Heads of the agencies were present at the launch to affirm their support.

A Programme Steering Committee chaired by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, will oversee implementation. The committee includes former vice-chancellors, senior education administrators and representatives of the Dangote family. Mr Dangote also disclosed that 25 per cent of his personal wealth has been committed to the Foundation to sustain the initiative, with progress to be reviewed under the Dangote Group Vision 2030 plan.

He emphasised that no single organisation can solve Nigeria’s education challenges alone, and he called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, and communities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the scholarship scheme as the largest private-sector education support programme in Nigeria’s history, calling it “nation-building in its purest form.” He warned that a population becomes a liability only when uneducated and said the initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s human capital index through NELFUND, UBEC, TETFUND and expanded technical and vocational programmes.

Education Minister Prof. Tunji Alausa said the intervention fits into the Tinubu administration’s plan to transition Nigeria from a resource-dependent economy to a knowledge-driven one. He noted that by the end of the program’s first decade, more than 170,000 girls would have gained access to secondary education through the scheme.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who represented the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, commended Mr Dangote and pledged the support of state governments.

The Emir of Lafia praised Mr Dangote’s patriotism, while the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, described the intervention as transformational and timely. United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, speaking virtually, said the scholarship will give children the opportunity to learn and enable families to thrive.

The ₦1 trillion scholarship programme represents the most extensive private education funding initiative ever undertaken in Nigeria. According to the ADF, the scheme is expected to improve school retention, completion rates and long-term socioeconomic outcomes for beneficiaries nationwide.